Ibadan explosion casualty figure yet unknown — Police

The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday night confirmed that there was an explosion in Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital.

The command, however, said the number of casualties in the incident is still unknown, adding that there has been ample deployment of their men to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The PUNCH earlier reported that some residents of the state said there was an explosion in parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

There were also videos online that showed a dusty cloud and burning houses and cars.

A University of Ibadan student, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone said, “It is true. We all heard the sound and it was very loud. The cloud is cloudy with smoke. it happened at Bodija and we in the UI area could see the smoke. Even those at Sango and Ojo heard the sound. In fact, we are all in a room scared for our life.”

Motunrayo Adegboro, another resident of Barika, about 15 minutes away from the site of the blast in Ibadan confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday night.

Reacting, the spokesperson for the state command, DSP Adewale Osifeso, in a terse message to our correspondent, said, “Explosion around Dejo Oyelese Street Bodija Ibadan at 7:44pm today, Tuesday 17/01/2024.

“The cause of the explosion is unknown. Number of dead and injured yet unknown as search continues.

“The Oyo State Police Command have ample deployment to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“Updates coming up soon.”

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