Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, issued a stern warning to residents affected by the Bodija explosion, urging them to vacate their residences temporarily until the entire area is secure. Addressing journalists at a world press conference after visiting the explosion site at Governor’s Office Press Center, Agodi Secretariat, Engr. Seyi Makinde emphasized that the affected individuals should not return to their houses as the area is currently unsafe.
Accompanied by his Special Adviser on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, and the team leader of the state emergency response team, Prof. Temitope Alonge, Governor Makinde appealed to victims to register their details at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located in Bodija Housing.
Attributing the incident to the storage of explosive devices by illegal miners, Governor Makinde pledged to hold those responsible accountable, stating, “All that are involved directly and indirectly for bringing this tragedy to us will be brought to book.”
He cautioned against misinformation and disinformation and assured that the state is working to prevent any breakdown of law and order. The governor confirmed three fatalities and 77 affected individuals, urging the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Special Adviser on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni, emphasized that the area has been secured to prevent looting and clarified that the incident was an explosion, dismissing claims of Boko Haram infiltration in Ibadan. Preliminary investigations indicated the storage of explosive devices in the area for some time.
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Abeeb Ahmed, highlighted the ongoing search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the need for evaluation before people return to the site. He called for increased vigilance and regulatory measures to prevent the storage of explosives in residential areas.
NEMA assured continuous collaboration with the state government to assess the situation, and intervention from federal agencies would be initiated based on a thorough assessment.
