“Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening‘ – Oyo govt

By Adeola Badru

The Oyo State government has enjoined the residents of the state to be calm, following the massive explosion that rocked Ibadan, the capital city late Tuesday evening.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, all security service chief, including para-military chiefs and fire operatives, have been deployed by the governor to rein in the spillover from the explosion.

“Residents of Ibadan and immediate environs experienced an explosion at about 8pm today.

“There are various interpretations of the incident. But it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and are in full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.

“Governor Seyi Makinde, therefore, implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after,” the statement said.

The explosion

According to the information gathered, the heavy sound shook the School of Nursing hostel, and University College Hospital. It also shattered all the windows.

Some residents of Ologuneru, Owalla, Isokan, Ekerin, Eleyele, and parts of Apete also said they felt the shaking. 

According to one Mr Babatunde Arowosafe, “My daughter and wife who were in different places at the time of the shaking ran out.

“They said they felt a heavy thud on the ground. My daughter said she heard it at the back of the house. Her mummy said she heard it on the roof.

“I was sitting in the living room when the earth shook. I thought something hit my gate. I was about to rush out when my boy said he heard the gate of the neighbor’s house shake too.”

Some residents from Bodija, Obasa, Mokola, Oke Itunu, Barracks, Gbaremu also shared their experiences.

“I was alighting from a car when I heard a deafening noise. People ran helter skelter. I felt things were rolling,” one said.

One of the nurses at UCH, Leye, said in her status that some patients were confused and started running
Also affected was a popular mall at Bodija Housing Estate, Ibadan. All the roofs of the mall collapsed.
Some hoodlums capitalized on the incident and started looting the mall.

Another resident in Adeyi area of Bodija said: “There’s a loud explosion here and there are some casualties.”

This could not be verified as there was no one to confirm its authenticity.

Vanguard News