•Perpetrators won’t go unpunished –Gov Makinde
By Oluseye Ojo
Death toll in the explosion that rocked Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has risen from two to three as at Wednesday morning, while the number of injured victims remained 77 as reported earlier on Wednesday morning.
The figures were given by Governor Seyi Makinde, at a press briefing, attended by members of the Emergency Medical Team set up by the state government following the incident, which occurred Tuesday night.
The briefing was attended by members of the Emergency Medical Team, including Temitope Alonge (Team lead); Special Adviser (Security), Fatai Owoseni; Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Adebola Hamzat, and Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army.
He said the state has identified the company that stored up the explosives and vowed that they would be brought to justice. “Those who brought this tragedy on Oyo State will be brought to book.”
Governor Makinde called for calm, assuring that government has been on top of the situation and was leaving no stone unturned regarding the search and rescue of victims at the rubble of the incident as well as the welfare of victims and the security of their properties.
He maintained that it was a trying time for the state and that its people must draw on their strength and resilience and be their brother’s keepers.
According to the governor, some measures already taken to address the situation included the setting up of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) to oversee search and rescue.
He vowed that search and rescue efforts would continue until all lives in the vicinity of the blast are accounted for, adding that the state government has also made provisions with hotels to accommodate victims and those living close to the site of the incident once they are able to identify themselves.
Governor Makinde had, during the press conference, also revealed that President Bola Tinubu spoke to him to commiserate with families who lost loved ones to the incident as well as promise the support of the Federal Government on the situation.
He thanked Tinubu for also deploying the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which he noted was on the ground at the scene of the explosion.
The governor recounted that so far, there are three deaths from the incident and that the number of the injured was about 77.
He warned residents to be wary of spreading fake figures and misinformation regarding the fatalities and the number of casualties.
The press conference came shortly after the governor had visited some victims of the incidents at different hotels around Bodija, Idi Ape and Ikolaba axes, where the state government is providing accommodation and feeding for them.
He said: “Since yesterday, our security agencies, first responders, emergency services and all other relevant agencies have been working diligently as they carry out search and rescue operations.
“Just this morning, another individual was recovered from the rubble. I want to assure you that the search and rescue operation will continue until all lives within the vicinity of the blast are accounted for.
“We are aware that aside from the immediate perimeter of the incident, people as far as 25km away may have been affected physically or psychologically. We have, therefore, put the Emergency Operation Centre, which is being headed by Professor Temitope Alonge, to coordinate all search and rescue efforts.
“I would like to appeal to our people to remain calm as we do everything to provide succour to everyone concerned. Some numbers have been provided to reach out to the Emergency Operation Centre.
“I know the 615 is operational but there are additional ones: 07049948057 and 08147672009. If you have any information regarding any persons who may still be trapped within that perimeter. Please call that number and we will respond to you.”
The governor appealled to those staying in any of the houses within 250 metres of ground zero to move out to government-provided accommodation until structural integrity test was conducted on the buildings.
He also issued a stern warning to individuals who might be planning to take advantage of the incident to perpetrate crimes, noting that security agents would deal decisively with such individuals.
IEDs
NEMA has said the explosion was suspected to have been caused by improvised explosive device (IED).
Preliminary report posted by the agency revealed that more than 20 houses were affected by the explosion.
Tbe report read in part: “On arrival at the scene it was observed that it was a suspected explosion of IED which affected over 20 houses.”
The agency said two persons died while 77 others were injured. But the casualty figure has risen to three, while the number of the injured victims have also increased.
The Pastor of Bodija Estate Baptist Church, Julius Okanlawon, told Daily Sun that about 25 members of the church, who live within the vicinity were affected. He added that the church had not been able to reach about three among them. He also conducted the Reporter round the church for impact assessment tour. The church building was badly affected.
Governor Makinde who visited the scene of the incident around 2am on Wednesday, has also visited victims at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. He suspected that the explosion was caused by the activities of miners that stockpiled explosives in a private apartment in the area. He vowed to get to the root of the matter and that justice would be ensured.
A cross section of other victims also revealed that they lost so many things including family members, property, certificates, cars, clothes to the incident. Those who were injured are either receiving medical attention in hospitals, both private and public, while a number of them have been discharged. But those who died had been deposited at various morgues.
The rescue operation continued till Wednesday evening, while the scene of the explosion and its surrounding had been cordoned off by security agencies. A source within one of security agencies, said the land at the scene would be excavated to know if more explosives were still hidden in the ground.
A move round Ibadan also showed that many buildings at Oyo State Government Secretariat suffered the effect of the explosion. Some section of Oyo State House of Assembly, Governor’s Office, Ministry of Education, were partially damaged.
UCH scales up alert system
The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Abiodun Otegbayo, has revealed how the Ibadan explosion affected some structures at the premises of the teaching hospital.
He spoke after impact assessment tour of the hospital at Oritamefa, which is less than two kilometres to the scene of the explosion at Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan.
In a statement by UCH Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmi Adetuyibi, also said all medical personnel have been placed on alert to provide healthcare support for victims of the explosion.
He said that the hospital has mobilised its resources to meet the urgent healthcare needs of the victims of the unfortunate incident.
According to her, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, has called for a galvanised coordination of its personnel, made up of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, student doctors and nurses, clinical and non-clinical staff.
“A trauma response team has been activated to implement comprehensive measures to ensure that every patient receives prompt and compassionate care.
“Medical staff, including trauma surgeons, emergency room physicians, nurses, and other personnel have been working around the clock to stabilise and treat the injured.
“As part of its commitment to transparency, the UCH is continuously communicating with relevant authorities and providing regular updates to the public.
“The hospital remains focused on delivering high-quality medical care to those affected by this tragic event.”
Meanwhile, of the 12 victims received by the hospital, the statement says one was brought in dead.
“Unfortunately, too, the hospital had a lot of its facilities damaged by the effects of the blast.
“The affected facilities include the Medical Museum, School of Nursing, Molecular Laboratory, Bulk Store, Ogunlesi Hall, and Hospital Clinics, among others, she said.
Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, Wale Lasisi, also took a tour of some private and public hospitals, where the victims had been taken to. He added that the admission of 25 victims were documented, while 40 were nit documented. The assessment tour, he said, has not been concluded.
UK returnee dies in explosion
A man who returned from the United Kingdom (UK) a week ago has been identified as one of the casualties from the explosion.
A viral video circulating on the social media credits Ayode Jajaye as disclosing that the UK returnee who was also a son of one of the landlords in the estate where the explosion occurred as among those who lost their lives to the explosion .
“Look at the guy that just died, he just came from the UK about a week ago. He’s a son to a Landlord in this estate.
“My conclusion is that the government should investigate this situation. The casualties are too much, look at damages, we can’t just look away. There are so many collateral damages that have happened”.
Governor, Seyi Makinde, said the explosion occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, although it was heard and felt in many parts of the city with the UK returnee among the casualties.
15 rescued as operations continue
No fewer than 15 people have been removed from under the rubble during the ongoing rescue operations, Branch Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross, Oyo State branch, Mr. Olaleye Ojo, revealed yesterday.
He noted that the operation was jointly carried out by various agencies, including Red Cross, NEMA, SEMA and security agencies.
“Rescue operations are still ongoing and we are trying to gather more information on the residents of the area. We cannot specifically say when the operation will be over.”
Ojo stated that about 30 buildings were destroyed by the explosion.
Ojo stated that the injured people were taken to nearby hospitals, as government had made provision for them not to be rejected.
“Hospitals have been complying with government’s directives to accept victims of the explosion and give them adequate treatment,” he said.
I’ve been rendered homeless -Ex-deputy governor
Friends and family members of those that suffered the explosion have begun to count their losses.
The explosion has ignited concerns regarding safety measures in residential areas and the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The incident left a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, and his family homeless. Oladokun, who served as a deputy governor when Alhaji Lam Adesina was governor from 1999 to 2003, shared his ordeal in an interview with journalists yesterday.
He expressed shock and devastation at the sudden turn of events. The explosion caused significant damage to Oladokun’s residence.
He revealed that his family members were unable to sleep in the house due to the extensive destruction caused by the explosion.
His words: “We were just watching football match when the explosion occurred. All the doors that were closed were forced open. It was very devastating. All the doors, burglary, windows, and even the roof have gone.”
Expressing gratitude that his wife and him were unharmed, Oladokun added: “We give glory to God that me and my wife were not hurt. I am just coming back now because we can’t sleep here again. We couldn’t sleep here yesterday (Tuesday night). We have to use our phone to move out yesterday. We had to find somewhere to sleep yesterday.”
Oladokun, who is now relying on the generosity of a friend for shelter, expressed sadness over the loss of valuable property worth millions of naira. However, amidst the tragedy, he remained thankful for their safety.
Victims recall ordeals
Some of the victims of the explosion have expressed their experiences in separate interviews at the Emergency Unit of UCH, Ibadan.
Idowu Fagbemi, 15, said the incident was still to him as though a dream.
Fagbemi, who could barely speak due to the shock, said he ran out of the house immediately he heard the sound of the explosion.
“I was in the house when we heard something like a bomb blast, so I started running and later found myself in the hospital this morning.”
His mother, Mrs. Fagbemi, said that her son sustained an injury on the head in the process of running for his life.
The upset mother said that her husband, who was also in the house with their son at the time of the explosion, was stil missing .
“We thank God for Idowu’s life, while we trust Him to also allow us to see his father alive.”
Another woman, Florence, said her mother was a victim and was presently receiving treatment at the emergency unit.
“I don’t just have the strength to talk now, because we have been at the emergency unit since yesterday night.Our mummy is still alive and we pray that God heals her speedily,” she said.
Another relation at the hospital, who didn’t give his name, said he was frustrated as his brother, who was in the house where the explosion occurred, was yet to be found.
“I don’t just know what to do,because we don’t even know whether he is alive or dead,” he said.
12 victims hospitalised at Redeemer’s Health Centre
Management of Redeemer’s Health Centre, Ibadan, says it has so far received 12 victims of the explosion.
The clinical director said six out of the 12 victims of the explosion received by the hospital were in stable condition and had been discharged.
“Two of the victims are in critical condition and one of them has been transferred to University College Hospital (UCH) for further treatment. Other victims are in stable condition and responding to treatment,” he said.
One of the victims at the hospital, Abdullah Malik, said he was on his way home at a junction close to his house when the blast threw him off.
Malik said that a good Samaritan took him to the hospital, as he could not move his body immediately after the incident.
The explosion also affected part of ACE Mall at Bodija, leaving in it’s trail a collapsed POP ceiling as well as shattered doors and windows.
The mall’s security man said some people were also injured at the mall due to the explosion.
Yoruba group says explosion act of terrorism
A pan-Yoruba group has described the explosion as a ‘conscious act of terrorism.’
The group dismissed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde claims as fraudulent and driven by ‘political interests.’
In a statement, the Apapo O’odua Koya, (AOKOYA), said the pattern of the explosion, the form and the impact shows the high possibility of a bomb attack on the heart of Yoruba Nation.
The group said the explosion was a message to Yoruba people that terrorists and Jihadists are ready to invade Yorubaland and wreak havoc.
‘Every Yoruba town and village has been invaded by enemies form the North and from the oriental all with the same desire to conquer and destroy Yoruba land and our time tested civilisation’ AOKOYA said.
The group said the choice of Ibadan to the attackers is significant being the political headquarter of the Yoruba nation. AOKOYA said the attackers appeared to have deliberately chosen the anniversary of the 1966 military coup, which led to the civil war to remind the Yoruba people that their land would be a battleground in the imminent war of survival.
AOKOYA said the signs of war and conflict are written all over Nigeria, but politicians want to fuel the assumption that there is orderliness and that their wealth and stolen privileges are not threatened.
The group said state sponsored intelligence reports are tailored to allay justified panic and to deceive the people that there is no threat to democracy describing it as ‘intelligence report for political convenience.’
The Yoruba self-determination group claimed that President Bola Tinubu was to visit Ibadan in honour of Bisi Akande when the explosives went off.
‘We are no fools. Those parroting the theory of a gas explosion are covering up the truth with blatant lies designed to serve political interests. There are no gas stations in the vicinity of the explosion. It is a lie,” AOKOYA said in a statement signed by Col Abimbola Sowunmi (retd) and Ahmed Akorede.
AOKOYA said the other theory of explosion traced to miners is another dishonest plot to cover up the truth: ‘We know that explosives used for mining do not go off prompted by a third party. The explosives can also not go off at the same time. It is not possible that a miner will keep explosives at home to endanger his own life.’ Sowunmi and Akorede said terrorists have been emboldened by the shift of power to the south.
Residents link explosion to inordinate sale of property to strangers
Some residents of the Old Bodija Estate in Ibadan, affected by the Tuesday’s bomb explosion, have linked the incident to the inordinate sales and transfer of property to strangers without security checks.
In separate interviews, they alleged that the quest for money without security considerations among some landlords’ children within the estate had led to the sale of some houses to foreigners who were mainly illegal miners.
One of the residents, Mrs Cecilia Adeleke, said that businesses, mini-companies, hotels, bars and lounges have filtered the estate without coordination from estate management as against what was obtainable in the estate before now.
Adeleke alleged that most new occupants of the transferred properties were foreigners who came to the country to run illegal businesses.
“Some of the landlords have relocated abroad and their children are selling their houses anyhow to strangers.
“The way houses at Bodija estate are sold indiscriminately to foreigners negate what is obtainable when we were growing up here as children.
“During our childhood days, residents were not allowed to sell beer, even food sellers were not allowed to move anyhow but now hotels are erected anyhow in the estate,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Joshua Alabi, a civil servant, called on the Oyo State Government to review the law of acquisition and transfer of properties within the estate.
He urged NEMA, Red Cross, and other care organisations to urgently provide first aid support to victims as many of them do not have a place to keep their goods.
Meanwhile, a survivor, Mrs Damilola Ologbese, claimed the explosion occurred as a result of fire from a generator stationed beside a vehicle filled with mining equipment.
Ologbese said that her gateman and dog were seriously injured, adding that she currently found it difficult to secure a convenient apartment to keep her family and belongings.