Chairman of the Emergency Operation Centre for the Bodija Explosion in Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has provided grim details, stating that not only were dead bodies recovered from the rubble of the explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street in Bodija, Ibadan, but also body parts were found at the blast’s epicenter.
He explained, “On Wednesday, we picked up some body parts. We had to wait for the safety of the medical staff. We were told of a woman who came out wanting to rescue her mistress. Unfortunately, the mistress had been taken to the UCH. She decided to run into the house. She was impaled by the rubbles.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who arrived in Ibadan to assess the situation, expressed determination to deal decisively with anyone found culpable of the man-made disaster.
He emphasized, “There’s no way the residents of this area would not suspect that someone in this area is doing something untoward. They need to report without putting their names, but the kernel of the information will be used.”
Alake questioned how suspected miners were able to hide explosives for years without detection, emphasizing that the Federal Government would not rush to make categorical statements until the forensic report of the investigation was released.
He urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, had earlier presented a report on the explosion to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, stating that five persons had been confirmed dead, and 77 people were reported injured in the blast.
In response to the incident, geologists from the University of Ibadan were on-site to conduct integrity tests on the epicenter and affected structures.
The investigations aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of the tragic explosion in Bodija.
