Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed that the mining company implicated in the Ibadan explosion, where explosive devices were stored, has foreign names listed on its Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) document. The governor made this revelation during an appearance on Channel TV on Wednesday.
The death toll from the tragic blast has risen to three, with another victim succumbing to injuries in a hospital today. The explosion occurred on January 16, 2024, at Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan, resulting in multiple injuries and deaths.
Makinde stated, “We have identified the company involved with the storage of explosive devices in that particular building. We’ve done a few fact-finding on the company involved, and yes, there are indeed some foreign names on the CAC documents of the company involved, but these are still early days.”
Addressing speculations about the blast being caused by a terrorist group or banditry, Makinde clarified that it was not linked to any terrorist group or bandits. He mentioned having an individual of interest whom security agencies should invite for questioning. He emphasized the commitment to holding accountable anyone contributing to the tragedy, attributing the incident to illegal miners storing explosives in residential areas.
Key points:
- The explosion in Ibadan occurred on January 16, resulting in fears of significant casualties and property damage.
- Governor Makinde confirmed three fatalities and reported 77 individuals receiving treatment in public and private hospitals.
- The investigation revealed that illegal miners in Ibadan caused the blast, with President Bola Tinubu ordering a thorough investigation to uncover the true reason behind the incident.
