Ibadan explosion
Governor Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said that the company indicted in the Tuesday explosion in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State has some foreigners and Nigerians listed as owners, according to checks with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Makinde was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday night.
Political Economist NG reports that the governor who looked sober confirmed that the death toll in the explosion had risen to three as one more victim died in hospital on Wednesday.
He said: “We recovered one individual alive today (Wednesday) under the rubble. 60 of the 77 people hospitalised have been discharged.
“We are trying to uncover the identities of the people. We’ve done a few fact-finding on the company involved and yes, there are indeed some foreign names on the CAC documents of the company involved but these are still early days. We don’t have anything to cover.
“It is not anything that has to do with banditry and insurgency but illegal miners that stored explosives in a residential area,” the governor clarified to debunk several narratives that the blast has anything to do with terrorism.
Makinde, an engineer, explained that explosives are legally required in mining and quarry businesses but what is of concern is the mode of storage.
He said he would seek presidential approval for miners to store explosives with the military, adding that he would sign an Executive Order in the coming days to that effect.
He said those whose houses were destroyed had been provided temporary shelter in hotels in Bodija and in the Agodi areas of the state capital.
Political Economist NG reports that the governor hinted that very soon, those fingered in the preliminary investigations would be invited by relevant security agents, adding that nobody will be spared on the matter as those culpable would face the law.
Political Economist NG recalls that President Bola Tinubu had also sent in condolence and solidarity message to Makinde and the people of Oyo, assuring them of immediate relief for victims. The President also charged security agents to fish out the suspects and prosecute them.
