By Mark Ogagan
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that those found culpable in circumstances leading to the tragic Ibadan explosion will face the full weight of the law.
Speaking while visiting the scene of the blast for an on-the-spot assessment in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Mr. Dele Alake (Pictured), who led the Federal Government delegation, expressed shock at the scale of devastation and unfortunate loss of lives, stressing that the disaster is man-made and regrettable.
“Let me assure the people of Oyo State that there will be full disclosure of the report of investigations and those found culpable will be made to face justice whilst mechanisms will be put in place to prevent a recurrence,” Alake said.
Urging citizens to be safety conscious, Alake underscored the imperative of being sensitive to suspicious happenings in the neighbourhood, emphasizing that such should be reported to security agencies to avert future incidents.
Three people died and 77 others were injured on January 16 when explosives rocked more than 20 buildings in one of Nigeria’s largest cities.
Residents in the southwestern state of Oyo’s densely populated Ibadan city heard a loud blast at about 7:45 p.m. last Tuesday, causing panic as many fled their homes. By Wednesday morning, security forces cordoned off the area while medical personnel and ambulances were on standby to offer needed rescue.
Preliminary investigations showed the blast was caused by explosives stored for use in illegal mining operations, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde had told reporters after visiting the site in the Bodija area of Ibadan.
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