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RESIDENTS in various parts of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, were terrified on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024 as a deafening sound, which appeared to be a massive explosion shook most parts of the city.
Reacting to the explosion that rocked residential areas in Bodija axis of Ibadan in the late hours of Tuesday, Gasland Limited says the source of the explosion was not from their plant.
This is coming after Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, accused illegal miners operating in the state.
According to the Governor, initial investigations indicate that the explosion in Ibadan resulted from illegal miners storing explosive devices in one of the houses.
In a statement issued after touring the site and several hospitals attending to the injured, the Governor acknowledged the loss of two lives. He reported 77 individuals currently receiving treatment in both public and private hospitals.
Makinde, who posted the press briefing on his official X handle, said investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.
He noted;
“Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The Investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.
“We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties.
“We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations. These operations will continue throughout the night.
“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident. The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan.
“Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident. In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and 2 fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Governor also pledged that the state government would cover the medical expenses of those injured and instructed all hotels to provide accommodation for individuals displaced by the blast.
“I have directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives,” Makinde added.
Responding to inquiries by Tribune Online about the explosion situation, Gasland assured that their plant was fine and “whatever happened was not from Gasland.”
Gasland’s statement reads: “No comment, However, we are all okay in Gasland. Whatever happened is not from Gasland Nigeria Limited.”
Earlier on Tuesday, an area in Ibadan, Oyo state, experienced an explosion, leading to fears of a significant number of casualties. The blast occurred at about 7:30 pm and has damaged properties.
Although other details about the explosion are still sketchy, the state government, in a statement via its X handle, said it was aware of the explosion that happened in part of the state.
Major places in Ibadan metropolis and the outskirts of the city felt the ground shaking some minutes before 8 pm.
According to information gathered by, the heavy sound shook the School of Nursing hostel of the University College Hospital and shattered all the windows.
Some residents of Ologuneru, Owalla, Isokan, Ekerin, Eleyele and parts of Apete also said they felt the shaking.
At Ologuneru, the gates and fence of a building shook but did not collapse.
Other places affected are Olodo, Apata, Iyana church, Sango, Agbowo, Bodija Housing and others.
The Governor later acknowledged the loss of two lives and reported 77 individuals currently receiving treatment in both public and private hospitals.
As of the time of filing this report, all relevant agencies have begun rescue operations at the scene of the incident.
Oyo State Police Command via their official X handle confirmed that the explosion happened around Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija and its environs at about 7:44pm on Tuesday, 16th of January, 2024.
According to Police, the number of injured, and deaths is still unknown as the search and rescue operation continues.
Meanwhile, Oyo state government has also called for calm as it assures residents of Ibadan that security agencies are investigating to determine the source and cause of the incident.
”The Oyo State Government is aware of reports of an explosion in Ibadan. Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident.”
However, there are viral videos online, showing dusty clouds, burning houses, and cars, as the explosion has been trending on various social media platforms.
The government added that relevant agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the scene of the incident, including all security service chiefs, paramilitary chiefs and fire operatives.
A resident of the area, Mr Babatunde Arowosafe said: “My daughter and wife who were in different places at the time of the shaking ran out saying they felt a heavy thud on the ground. My daughter said she heard it at the back of the house while her mummy said she heard it on the roof.
“I was sitting in the living room when the earth shook. I thought something hit my gate and I was about to rush out when my boy said he heard the gate of the neighbour’s house shake too.
He said: “I was alighting from a car when I heard a deafening noise. People ran helter-skelter. I felt things were rolling.”
Also affected was a popular mall at Bodija Housing Estate, Ibadan. All the roofs of the mall collapsed.
Some hoodlums capitalized on the incident and started looting the mall.
Another resident in the Adeyi area of Bodija said: “There was a loud explosion here and there are some casualties”. This, could not be verified as there’s no one to confirm its authenticity.
Similarly, some residents said houses and cars far from the scene of the explosion were impacted by the blast wave.
A panic-stricken resident said: “We heard a loud bang around 7:30 pm. Dominos shattered, Ace Mall in Bodija destroyed.”
One of the nurses at UCH, Leye said in her status that some patients were confused and started running.
Reacting to the Ibadan explosion, the Zonal Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in the South-West, Saheed Akiode, stated that emergency responders including the operatives of the Fire Service in Oyo State were deployed to the scene of the incident on Awolowo Way by Adeyi Avenue, behind a Central Mosque, in Bodija.