The federal government is awaiting forensic investigation into the actual cause of the Ibadan explosion of January 14, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake has said.
In the explosion which occurred last Tuesday at Dejo Oyelese area of Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state, five persons were killed, several injured, vehicles destroyed and about 58 houses damaged during the incident.
In an update on the incident Sunday, the minister said the federal government was awaiting the results of the forensic investigation into the tragedy.
Alake’s special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, said this in a statement, a copy of which was made available to Blueprint in Abuja.
He said the ministry was at the forefront of working with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence.
“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals, is waiting for the outcome of forensic investigation ordered to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State capital last week.
“President Bola Tinubu, it would be recalled, placed a telephone call to Oyo State Governor, immediately after the tragic incident, in the presence of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake to commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, victims, and the good people of Oyo state.
“Thereafter, the Minister issued a statement of condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and other victims. The Minister also commended Oyo State Government for mobilising relief response.
“The Ministry also deployed Mine Inspectorate officers to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies to unravel the cause of the explosion.
“The Federal Government is now waiting for the outcome of forensic investigations that will determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident that led to loss of lives and properties.
“Alongside the press statement personally signed by Dr. Alake to convey his deepest sympathies to the people of Oyo State, he has also been at the forefront of working with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence,” the statement said.
Alake further added: “Last week Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting, President Bola Tinubu took a step to holistically address insecurity around our nation’s natural resources by constituting an inter-ministerial committee led by Dr. Alake to come up with a blueprint to effectively and efficiently secure solid minerals, forests, and marine economy, which constitutes Nigeria’s natural resources.
“The committee held a maiden meeting last Friday and has been working round the clock to draw up strategies of achieving the presidential mandate. In the coming days, there will be an expanded meeting with heads of security agencies, which will assist the committee in getting the requisite inputs that will guide it in turning in a robust report to the President.
“The Minister assures Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to addressing challenges from the root, hence its resolve to await the outcome of painstaking forensic investigations on the Ibadan explosion before making a definite pronouncement.
“The Honourable Minister believes that in sensitive situations like this, the security agencies should be allowed to do their job, as against acting on speculations. That way, the people are better informed, culprits can be brought to book, and concerted efforts can be put in place to avoid a recurrence.”
…90% victims discharged from hospitals – Makinde
Meanwhile, Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that 90 per cent of the victims of the tragic incident have been discharged from various hospitals.
According to him, a clinical psychologist has begun counselling for victims of the incident at the Emergency Operations Centre at the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.
He stressed that the Medical Team of the Emergency Operations Centre and the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, were at two of the hospitals attending to victims Saturday.
“Yesterday, the medical team at the Emergency Operations Centre in company of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, visited two of the hospitals where victims from the incident were taken and over 90 per cent of the victims have been discharged,” he said.
Governor Makinde added: “The death toll from the incident currently stands at five persons. The clinical psychologist has commenced counselling for victims of the incident at the Emergency Operations Centre in Ibadan.”
The governor commended security agencies in the state for maintaining law and order around Bodija, the location of the blast, saying, “security agencies are still investigating the incident and an update on their investigation will be publicised.
“I commend our security agencies in Oyo State who have been maintaining law and order in around Bodija this week as well as residents who have been complying with directives from these officers.”
