CITIZENS COMPASS —Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State was shaking to the brim on Tuesday, as an explosion reportedly rocked the ancient town.
The explosion with causes yet to be established was said to have occurred around Old Bodija, off Adeyi area , leaving several properties destroyed while many people were feared dead and injured.
Eyewitnesses’ accounts said it reportedly occurred at about 8p.m when many residents have returned from the day’s business.
A trending video captured the clips of the explosion with people calling for help from authorities to help rescue the victims.
An eyewitness simply identified as Kola said he travelled to Ibadan from Lagos only to witness the explosion which blew his windows and doors out.
He wrote on social media, “it shook my walls and windows. Folks in Ibadan have their doors and windows blown out. Davies was badly affected. BOM as well, I am told.
“I am in Old Bodija. Shook my housr so badly, smoke everywhere, visibility reduced to about 1,000 metres due to smoke. “
As at 10p.m on Monday, Nigerians were making phone calls to know the state of things with their relatives in Ibadan.
A male voice note on social media said the explosion occurred in a private home around Old Bodija, off Adeyi. He said, “the cause of the explosion has not been ascertained but the area where it happened is in Old Bodija in Adeyi, very close to Deji Oyelese, buildings have collapsed and bodies were being evacuated by the Police. The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained but It happened in a residential area and not a hotel“
At oress time, calks to some authorities in Ibadan revealed that the explosion affected many people and buildings as the injured victims were taken to hospitals in the ancient city.
Security operatives comprising the army and the police anti-bomb units have been deployed to affected areas while search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
In one of the videos monitored by Citizens Compass, Police vehicles were seen conveying victims’ bodies in droves.
Meanwhile, Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, in a statement said, “Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.
“There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in the full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.
“All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and fire operatives have been deployed by the governor to reign in the spillover from the explosion.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after. “
