The Ibadan explosion

The recent explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, has further exposed the laxity in regulating mining activities as well as some security lapses in the country. The unfortunate incident, which left five people dead, 77 injured and 58 houses severely damaged, deserved a thorough investigation by security and mining experts. Those behind the explosion, whether illegal miners, foreigners or Nigerians must be apprehended and duly prosecuted. We also believe that the casualty figure is likely to be more than reported considering that some of the victims might be missing.

Although preliminary investigations by security agencies, as Governor Seyi Makinde explained, revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija, Ibadan, had stored explosive devices, which caused the blast, there may be more to the blast. Only a thorough investigation by security agencies and experts in the mining sector can really unearth the real cause of the explosion. Those behind the explosion must be brought to justice.

The Ibadan blast has also some security implications not only in Ibadan but in other cities in the country. There may be other cities habouring more deadly mining explosives than Ibadan. With rising insecurity across the country, the security agencies should beam their searchlight on buildings habouring dangerous explosives. It is even too hasty to conclude what actually caused the Ibadan blast when a thorough investigation has not been carried out.

The federal government should use the Ibadan incident to further strengthen existing mining laws, which many Nigerians consider to be weak. No doubt, the weak regulation of the mining industry has both economic and security implications. The laws on mining and acquisition of explosives should be quickly reviewed in order to forestall another explosion. The time has indeed come to rid the sector of illegal miners. The government must check the influx of illegal immigrants into the country.

Some of the illegal immigrants might pose security risks. The escalation of banditry and other security breaches in some states with solid minerals can be linked to the activities of illegal miners said to be foreigners. Those in government are aware of this fact. Government loses about $9 billion every year due to the activities of illegal miners, who are mostly foreigners. They have their local collaborators as well.

The huge loss of revenue from the mining sector should not be allowed to continue when the government is in dire need of money to execute projects and improve the welfare of the citizens. While the government is so eager to collect revenue accruing from crude oil, the same government is not showing the same zeal in tapping the solid mineral resources that abound in the country.

Areas mostly affected by the explosion include Bodija in Ibadan North Local Government Area, a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, amongst others. We condemn the indiscriminate storage of explosives, which might be a possible cause of the explosion. We also condemn the official laxity in the regulation of mining and the security lapses that led to the storage of explosives in residential areas undetected.

The Ibadan incident coming on the heels of the recent alarm raised by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on the activities of illegal miners, which he linked to banditry and kidnapping in some parts of the country, is scary. The minister had accused powerful Nigerians and their foreign collaborators of being behind banditry in some parts of the country.

It is commendable that the Federal Executive Council has set up a committee to review the laws on explosives, let the committee expedite action on it. The review of mining activities has become imperative now more than ever before. Let the government stop treating the menace with kid gloves. This is the time to really wield the big stick and rein in the illegal miners. Those behind the Ibadan blast must be given adequate punishment.

We sympathise with those who lost their loved ones, houses and means of livelihoods in the incident and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. We also enjoin the government to take care of the injured and pay adequate compensation to the victims of the blast.