A lifeless body, yet to be identified, has been retrieved from the aftermath of an explosion that occurred on Adeyi Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, on Tuesday night.
This information was disclosed in a 35-second video shared by our correspondent on Wednesday morning. The footage showed the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, diligently clearing the deceased in preparation for transportation to the mortuary.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the deceased remains unknown.
The explosion, accompanied by a loud bang and widespread vibrations, reverberated across various locations in Ibadan around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Individuals affected by the incident shared images and videos depicting shattered window glasses in their residences.
Emergency response teams, including the anti-bomb squad of the Nigeria police, firefighters, and operatives of the Amotekun security outfit, swiftly arrived at the scene.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, in a statement, attributed the explosion to illegal mining activities in the state, resulting in two fatalities and 77 injuries.
Governor Makinde expressed his condolences, stating, “In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged, and 2 fatalities. May their souls rest in peace, and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Following his visit to the site and hospitals treating the injured, the Governor added, “Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.”