No fewer than 10 persons were feared killed and many others hospitalised on Tuesday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, following an explosion that rocked the Ibadan metropolis around 8pm.
Among the affected areas were a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.
According to eyewitness, the explosion occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija Estate, Ibadan.
As of press time, rescue workers believed that some persons were still trapped under the rubble and efforts were ongoing to rescue them.
Glass windows, doors and ceilings were shattered in the affected areas.
Major roads were deserted while residents were forced indoors by security operatives, including the police, Western Security Network, code-named Amotekun, and local vigilantes, who took over the affected areas.
The cause of the blast could not be confirmed. Some residents of the affected areas claimed it was caused by earth movement while others described it as a blast of an Improvised Explosive Device.
Thick smoke rented the air in the affected areas which resulted in the hospitalisation of the victims in various hospitals.
Security vehicles were sighted conveying the victims to some selected hospitals in the state capital for medical attention.
Also, it was gathered that at least three buildings collapsed as a result of the explosion.
In a statement, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed the explosion.
He said, “There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and is in full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.
“All security service chiefs, including paramilitary chiefs and fire service operatives, have been deployed by the governor to reign in the spillover from the explosion.
“The Governor, Seyi Makinde, therefore, implores citizens to calm down and rest assured that their interests are being looked after.”
The police also confirmed the explosion.
