A loud bang was heard across Ibadan the capital of Oyo State around 7pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known but there are conflicting reports of a gas explosion, bomb blast, or petrol tanker explosion.
While the extent of the damage remains uncertain, eyewitnesses describe the blast as deafening, raising concerns about its potentially severe consequences at the site of occurrence.
Areas most affected are Bodija and its environ. There are a lot of casualties and a dead body was sighted in one of the videos making the round on Twitter. Several people were injured in Adeyi street, Awolowo Avenue, Dejo Oyelese area, prompting local residents to urgently call on security agencies and emergency services for assistance.
A statement by the Oyo State Government on Twitter read: “The Oyo State Government is aware of reports of an explosion in Ibadan. Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident”.
A statement was also released by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, dated January 16, 2024 which read:
“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 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”.
