President Bola Tinubu has directed the deployment of the officials of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to provide support and assistance to the victims of the explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city.
This is as he declared support for the state government in providing assistance for the victims to help in the recovery process.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde gave the revelation during a press briefing attended by members of Emergency Medical Team set up by the state government following the incident that occurred Tuesday night.
Speaking during the briefing on Wednesday, January 17, Governor Makinde, who said he received the personal phone call of the President on the matter, also noted the sympathy of Mr. President to the government and people of the state.
While calling for calm, he urged the people to stop the spread of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, which might create unnecessary tension but draw strength and support as brother keepers.
He said the state has identified the company that stored up the explosives, which caused the explosion and that they will be brought to justice
Makinde said, “Just as we were about to start this press conference, I received a call from Mr. President. I want to especially thank him. He has approved that the National Emergency Management Authority be on the ground, and I can confirm that they are already on the ground and working with our people locally here.
“And he also gave his condolences to the people who have loved their loved ones in the unfortunate incident. And he is also giving us the assurance that he is with us during this trying period. So, it is a trying time for all of us, but it is at such a time like this that we draw our strength and resilience to be our brothers keeper.
“Let us refrain from spreading fake news and disinformation that can potentially cause panic within the populace.
“There is lots of misinformation going on. I saw on a platform where someone said Yorubaland has been invaded, and these are people who may not even be anywhere near Nigeria, talk less of Oyo State.
“So, let us mind what we say, and I read funnily that some random people on the street mentioned that they were being asked to pay to receive medical treatment or to stay in an hotel. Who should they believe? The random people, or should they believe me as the governor as the chief security officer of this state?
“Yes, that is how low we have sank as a country that people doubt their leaders; the gap between the government and the people and the trust deficit between the government and the people is widening. It is a wake-up call, and once again, I urge us all to remain calm as the authorities in Oyo State are on top of the situation.”
Giving an update on the situation, he said the government already has information about the company that uses the house to store explosives, assuring that all those who may be directly or indirectly involved in the incident will be brought to justice.
He added that the fatalities at the scene of the explosion have risen to three, but that the number of those who sustained various degrees of injuries is still at 77.
He was pleased with residences within 250 meters of the scene of the incident to stay away from their property and move to apartments provided by the government until the government conducts an integrity test on the buildings within the radius.
“The explosion led to the loss of lives and property. I stated in a brief remarks early this morning that preliminary investigations traced the incident to the storage of explosions by illegal miners at a house in Bodija.
“But since yesterday (Tuesday), our security agencies, our first responders, emergency services, and all other relevant agencies have been working diligently as they carry out their search and rescue mission.
“But just this morning, another individual was recovered. I want to assure the emergency team members that search and rescue operations will continue until all lives within the vicinity of the blast are sorted.”
He said further, “We are aware that, aside from the immediate perimeter of the incident, people as far away as 25 kilometers away may have been affected physically or psychologically. We have therefore put in place the Emergency Operation Centre, headed by Professor Temitope Alonge to coordinate all search and rescue efforts.
“I will like to appeal to our people to remain calm as we do everything possible to provide succor to everyone affected. There are numbers that have been provided to reach out to the Emergency Operation Centre.
“If you have any information regarding any person who is still trapped within the perimeter, please reach out.
“Also, let me use this opportunity to appeal to anyone still staying within 250 meters of ground zero to move out to government-provided accommodation until we check the structural integrity of the buildings. At the same time, unscrupulous elements who may want to take advantage of this disaster to carry out any form of looting should be warned, as I have asked the security agencies to deal decisively with anyone caught in such an act.
“They have been placed on high alert to ensure that there’s no breakdown of law and order at the place.”
He assures that a regular update will continue to be provided through all information channels, saying, “We will continue to provide regular updates regarding the actions we are taking through the Emergency Operation Center and our various reach-out channels on and off social media.
“The important update we can provide at this time is that we have information regarding the company that was using that residence to store explosives.
“Rest assured that all that were involved directly and indirectly in bringing this tragedy upon us shall be brought to book.”
While addressing pressmen, the Head of Emergency Operations, Prof. Alonge said an emergency response to the incident was to set up a team of about 40 doctors, 40 nurses and 25 medical students at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
He added that victims that were injured were receiving medical attention in private and government hospitals and that most of them were in stable condition.
“Apart from doctors and nurses, we have added to our team physiotherapists and clinical psychologists and they were on ground yesterday to assess the psychological state of the survivors of this unfortunate incident.”
Also speaking on the security angle, the Special Adviser on Security to the governor, Owoseni, said the area of the incident had been secured to ensure that hoodlums do not perpetrate crimes as a result of the explosion.
He, however, corrected misgivings and misinformation on the incident, saying: “We want to use this opportunity to correct misgivings. People have come out to say that Boko Haram elements have been allowed to invade Oyo State, especially Ibadan. This is incorrect.
“Some people have also said a helicopter flew over the place and dropped the bomb. That is, in its entirety, incorrect too. People have said construction sites around that place had used dynamite, and in the course of that, the incident happened. Let me say it is also not correct.
“We, from the security angle, can say that the preliminary evidence is indicative that for some time, people must have been storing explosives in that area, and it is not just fresh. It must have been something that had accumulated for some time. His Excellency has always said if you see something, you must say something.”
. Additional report by Akinade Feyisayo