…Illegal mining activities suspected!
A deafening explosion rocked the elitist Bodija area of Ibadan Tuesday night, instantly collapsing buildings, and seriously blowing off several buildings’ rooftops, in addition to shattering glass windows of houses, 500 metres away.
Two persons were pulled out of the rubble, dead, while over 100 persons were injured, some of them, very seriously.
The explosion occurred around 7.43 pm on January 16, 2024, at Dejo Oyelese Street at the Adeyi Estate, affecting about 20 buildings, aside from shaking the ground like a mild earth tremor. it also emitted observable light waves, and heavy smoke, thereby creating genuine panic and fear.
A man praying in the nearby mosque was among the first casualty as he was rushed to a nearby Christian Hospital, in an emergency.
There were palpable fears that the explosion was caused either by illegal mining or, some activities not unconnected with mining. However, this may not be confirmed until a proper investigation is undertaken.
An eye witness told the Maritime First that a building with a heavy presence of foreigners, and a football-field size empty backyard, had plenty of dynamites used for mining was suddenly engulfed by fire, a fire which finally touched the inflamable dynamite, resulting in a bomb-like explosion, which was easily heard, miles away.
*One of the casualties
The source said while it could not be ascertained if the illegal mining was taking place within the estate or not, it could however not be argued that dynamites usually utilised for mining was involved.
The Christian hospital lived up to expectations, as it had the solution for those rushed there in emergency. From the hospital gate, however, a staff was heard, requesting additional hands from their other branches. One lady was placed on oxygen.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde cancelled every other state matter and rushed to the scene, following which he deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations.
“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”, the Governor stressed.
Consequently, earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident, even as ambulances plied to and from the area.
“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 indicated further.
By 10. 26pm a crowd of onlookers, some of them miscreants had built up in front of the ACE Mall. But they were overwhelmed by the presence of a pronounced presence of Amotekun Corps, which was joined at 9.58 pm by OYRTHMA operatives, in four vehicles, one of them, a towing van.
By 10.29 pm, some officers of the military arrived at the ACE Mall, ordered the Gate of the Christian Hospital shut, and sent the crowd of miscreants packing!
Reacting to the development, a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity urged the Authorities to scratch beyond the surface, saying he believes the explosion could have a lot to do with illegal mining activities.
“Why do they call that place ‘the Dungeon’? What kind of explosives do they use there that is capable of blowing a car off its tyres, into the air?” he asked.
He described mining as a heavy capital investment which is currently, silently run like Mafia stuff.
“Killing is constantly involved, either by design or circumstances. And that in many instances, people call them in the North, herdsmen or kidnappers, whereas they are just illegal miners or miners’ extension.
