Oyo State government has set up an emergency situation hub to collate and coordinate information about management of victims of Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan.
No fewer than two persons were reported to have died and 77 others injured when the explosion occurred at Bodija area of the State.
Its impact was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the explosion.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated on Wednesday in Ibadan that the deputy governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, was appointed to head the situation hub.
He urged victims of the explosion to submit verifiable evidences of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government’s intervention.
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Oyelade added that temporary accommodation had been organised by the government for those displaced by the explosion.
He further stated that the State government would finance the hospital bills of those injured.
The commissioner confirmed that many victims had started registering at the hub and were being guided by emergency and disaster experts.
“As security agencies continue investigations, the State government is narrowing down on the possible cause of the explosion.
“As a result of new evidences, government is interrogating certain leads that suggest storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the Bodija area of the State capital where the explosion occurred”, Oyelade stated.
He confirmed that the explosion affected some structures at the government secretariat.
Oyelade noted that twelve of the victims had been taken to Redeemer’s Health Centre in Ibadan. Six of them were treated and discharged, while four others were still receiving treatment.
He added that two others who were in critical condition were transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan for further treatment.
The explosion reportedly destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction.
