In Ibadan on Wednesday, Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State asserted that the explosion that reverberated across major parts of the city on Tuesday, claiming the lives of approximately five individuals, was a result of nefarious activities conducted by foreign illegal miners.
While officially stating that only two people had died and 77 others were injured, with considerable property damage, Governor Makinde’s account was contradicted by a Nigeria Pilot investigation, revealing a higher casualty figure. According to the investigation, about five people had lost their lives due to the explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan.
Supporting the governor’s stance, survivor Alhaji Mohammed Musa, who resides near the blast site, pointed fingers at foreign individuals engaged in illegal mining, asserting that their activities triggered the explosion. During a visit to the scene by Nigeria Pilot, a body was recovered from the debris and placed in a body bag, while an injured survivor was transported in an ambulance.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Mohammed recounted the events leading up to the explosion, noting that he narrowly escaped death by intervening to extinguish a fire in his neighbor’s house. He disclosed, “I saw the foreigners; they ran out before the explosion.” Mohammed emphasized that the foreigners, aware of the impending danger due to the materials they had stored, failed to alert others before fleeing the scene.
Addressing the issue, Governor Makinde attributed the explosion to explosive devices stored by illegal miners, confirming the death of two individuals and injuries to 77 others. The incident occurred at approximately 7:44 pm on January 16, causing widespread panic and confusion throughout the state capital.
