Yesterday explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, forced the family of the late Bola Ige and Iyiola Oladokun, a former deputy governor, to flee. The explosion that rocked the densely crowded city, killing two and injuring seventy-seven, caused damage to Mr Oladokun’s storey building on Dejo Oyelese Street, including damaged windows.

Mr Oladokun’s close friend said that he and his family were taken out of the damaged premises and put into the home of a friend. A few metres from Mr. Oladokun’s property, the late Attorney-General of the Federation Bola Ige’s residence was also damaged by the explosion.
Mr. Oladokun, a key ally of President Bola Tinubu, served as deputy governor to the late Lam Adesina from 1999 to 2023 under the Alliance for Democracy.

Expressing devastation, Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed in a statement that a preliminary investigation indicated that illegal miners in a Bodija-area house stored explosive devices, causing the blast. The governor assured that those responsible would be held accountable, emphasizing an ongoing investigation.

Additionally, Governor Makinde said that first responders and pertinent agencies would be sent to the affected areas to conduct extensive search and rescue operations. The state is still dedicated to dealing with the explosion’s consequences and making sure that its citizens are secure.

Concerns about the explosion’s effects on the neighbourhood and the urgency of taking immediate action to help people impacted by it persist while the investigation goes on. The state’s will to pursue those accountable and carry out exhaustive search and rescue efforts emphasises how urgent it is to address the crisis and offer assistance to displaced people and their families.