Ibadan explosion: FG should get tough with illegal immigrants, say residents

The residents of Oyo State's Ibadan metropolis, the site of the explosion on Tuesday, have demanded strict measures against undocumented immigrants.

Tuesday night, an explosion rocked the Oyo State city of Ibadan, leaving many people injured and many more feared dead.

Around 8:00 p.m., a blast occurred in the ancient city, sending residents running in a panic as a dense, black smoke enveloped the air.

According to reports, the explosion happened near the state capital's Adeyi Avenue in the Bodija Estat neighbourhood.
A portion of the governor's office, the secretariat, the Oyo State House of Assembly, Chief Bola Ige's former residence as minister of justice and attorney general, as well as a few buildings in Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango, and Eleyele were among the areas impacted.

In the affected areas, glass ceilings, doors, and windows were smashed.

While the exact number of casualties from the incident is still unknown, Governor Seyi Makinde did report that 77 people were hospitalised and two people died.

He said that explosive devices stored by illegal miners were the cause of the explosion, according to preliminary investigations conducted by security agencies.

Meanwhile, our correspondence saw footage of a white pickup truck bearing the name Bodija Patrol van carrying what appeared to be the dead bodies of some of the victims after the explosion.
Additionally, according to our correspondent, at least ten bodies were removed in ambulances from the scene.

A mutilated body was also visible at the alleged explosion site, and those who sympathised with the victim bemoaned the lack of law enforcement and emergency personnel.

Taiwo Salami, a resident of Adeyi, Bodija, where the incident occurred, said to journalists regarding the explosion, "Many have died." Last night, we saw bodies lying around the street. All it needs to do is end. Not just in Abuja, Sokoto, Niger, Ibadan, or anywhere else.

"This nation is in a state of chaos and disorder. Not everyone wishes to live in this nation. This is not the nation we had imagined. It's just absurd. Where do individuals start from? Lives have been lost. Can they be gained back? They cannot. Everybody woke up yesterday, thinking this is 2024.
For heaven's sake, it's January. Is this how the year will begin for us? How many more of these exist in other neighbourhoods that we're not even certain exist? I'm worn out."

Salami said, "I'm not aware," in response to a query about unauthorised miners residing on the estate. We've been informed that an investigation would start in order to uncover the truth. However, it's really depressing. It represents Nigeria as it is today.

"There is absolutely no safety at all. In their homes, people are being abducted. People are being kidnapped, so they cannot travel. Homes are being bombed while people are sleeping in them. What the heck is going on here, for heavens sake?
Salami expressed his shock at the extent of his injuries from the explosion by saying, "Everything is gone, everything." The entire home has vanished. Everything is gone, including all of the properties and cars. Indeed, it would be necessary to demolish every house in this entire area. Every single house needs to be demolished because there are obvious structural flaws in them—cracks can be seen everywhere. Everything must be destroyed and most likely rebuilt. Here, you're discussing billions of dollars.

The theory that the explosion was caused by illicit mining was refuted by another local, Apa, who went only by that name. "You remember those Malians?," my neighbour Dada said to me when I called him, according to Apa. There must be equipment they’re using for doing their mining work that must have exploded, and that equipment is not a cheap material. It’s something that’s very heavy.
"Yes, they have all kinds of things there, one would say if the explosion had occurred in the Odogbo barracks. But this is a grave mistake. This kind of environment is not where that thing should be kept. Additionally, the equipment must be stored in an environment with controlled humidity. My own suspicion is that the temperature might have set it off.

"Because I have heard, but this is untrue, that Governor Makinde claimed there is illegal mining here." This place has nothing comparable to illicit mining. The equipment was brought in by local miners, who are Malians.

The Nigerian government should use this as a lesson to determine whether or not to allow such individuals to remain in their nation. Malians are very active people.
The Nigerian government should use this as a lesson to determine whether or not to allow such individuals to remain in their nation. Aside from this, Malians engage in a great deal of chaos. Therefore, the government needs to consider what to do with them and what to do if it discovers that they lack the necessary documentation to be in the country.

The delayed arrival of emergency responders at the explosion scene was bemoaned by certain residents residing in the vicinity of the affected area.

A resident identified only as Tunde Atilade told our correspondent on Wednesday that no emergency responders were visible for some time following the explosion.

He claimed that if they had arrived sooner, some of the deceased victims might still be alive.
The Nigerian government should use this as a lesson to determine whether or not to allow such individuals to remain in their nation. Aside from this, Malians engage in a great deal of chaos. Therefore, the government needs to consider what to do with them and what to do if it discovers that they lack the necessary documentation to be in the country.
The delayed arrival of emergency responders at the explosion scene was bemoaned by certain residents residing in the vicinity of the affected area.

A resident identified only as Tunde Atilade told our correspondent on Wednesday that no emergency responders were visible for some time following the explosion.

He claimed that if they had arrived sooner, some of the deceased victims might still be alive.
On Wednesday, additional victims were extracted alive from the debris. One adult male who has not yet been identified was transferred into an ambulance.

There could be more people buried beneath the debris, according to Fatai Owoseni, the governor's special adviser on security issues, who made this statement on a radio programme on Tuesday.
He remarked Now, we are unable to determine what caused the explosion. However, the noise of the explosion was just heard by those in this vicinity. And the sound could be heard all the way in Jericho, Ologuneru. In other words, it had to have been a significant explosion. There is a crater visible where the explosion occurred. So many homes in a 500-meter radius around the suspected origin of the problem are impacted. A few homes were completely destroyed. It's possible that there are still some people inside the houses' debris. I found out that a few individuals were admitted to the hospital. Right now, our main concern is figuring out how to expedite rescue efforts. Additional limbs of the security are there to prevent people from surging into area.”