A survivor from the Dejo Oyelese Street explosion in Bodija, Ibadan, shared that his elder brother, Oladipupo, lost his life in the incident.
The explosion, earlier reported by The PUNCH, caused widespread damage, as seen in online videos depicting dusty clouds, burning houses, and cars.
Speaking to Lagelu FM, the survivor recounted being at a nearby hotel playing tennis with his brother before the explosion. His brother went outside and suffered a severe stomach injury from a sharp object propelled by the explosion.
Rushed to Adeoyo General Hospital, Oladipupo succumbed to his injuries.
Another survivor, Olaitan Okanlawon, described hearing strange sounds around 7 pm, followed by vibrations and rubble outside her window.
She and her family sought refuge in a hotel, with one of her children sustaining a head injury.
Governor Seyi Makinde stated that preliminary investigations linked the explosion to explosive devices stored by illegal miners.
The incident resulted in at least 10 feared dead and 15 hospitalized. Various areas, including the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, and residences, were affected.
Makinde assured that those responsible would be held accountable after ongoing investigations.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the explosion, deploying officers to maintain order as the casualty count remained unknown.
