A mystery explosion the state government describes as “uncommon” has rocked the Oyo State capital Ibadan and reportedly left several victims dead.
No one cold authoritatively say what brought about the Tuesday explosion, whose reverberation and noise was felt and heard in a wide segment of the ancient city.
Residents said they heard the deafening report about 8pm.
The Punch pinpointed the epicentre of the incident to Adeyi Avenue in Bodija area of the city, where it said its correspondent counted about 10 bodies.
According to the newspaper, corpses were being taken away in ambulances.
A Twitter X user, E.C.O @WillieWinehouse, tweeted:
“A FUCKING BOMB JUST EXPLODED IN IBADAN! MY ENITRE HOUSE AND STREET IS IN RUINS!!!! WHAT Is GOING ON!!!!!!”
Posted at 7:30pm, Jan 16, 2024 from Ibadan, Nigeria, the tweet quickly garnered 1.9 million views.
Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, issued a statement saying:
“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 paramilitary chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the Governor to Rein in the spillover from the explosion.
“His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde therefore implores citizens to calm down and rest assured that their interests are being looked after.”
However, no fewer than two people died and properties were destroyed in the Sango Area of Ibadan.
One report said a gas leak caused the explosion that rocked the Ace Mall business complex.
Another report said a major land tremor was felt in several parts of Ibadan, resulting in breaking of louvers and glassware.
The quake reportedly shook the School of Nursing, University College Hospital (UCH) and reportedly shattered all the windows.
Some residents of Ologuneru, Owalla, Isokan, Ekerin, Eleyele and parts of Apete also said they felt the shaking.
At Ologuneru, gates and fence of a building shook but did not collapse.
Some residents from Bodija, Obasa, Mokola, Oke Itunu, Barracks, Gbaremu also felt the explosion.
Wow