(Lagos) At least two people were killed and 77 injured Tuesday evening in an impressive explosion in the city of Ibadan, in southwest Nigeria, local authorities announced Wednesday, favoring the theory of an explosion of accidental origin.
“We have so far 77 injuries, most of whom have been treated, and two deaths,” said Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State of which Ibadan is the regional capital, in a statement published on X.
The toll could rise as rescue operations continue on Wednesday morning, according to Saheed Akiode, southwest zone coordinator at the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema).
The explosion, which took place shortly before 8 p.m. in the Bodija district and destroyed around 25 buildings according to Nema, triggered a movement of panic among residents.
PHOTO SEUN SANNI, REUTERS
Ibadan, January 17, 2024
According to the governor, the first elements of the investigation “revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the explosion”.
On site, an AFP journalist was able to observe significant damage: the area was covered in rubble, several surrounding buildings were heavily damaged and cars were completely destroyed, one of them having been thrown onto the roof of the another one.
The governor said the state would provide temporary housing and ensure those affected receive “help to rebuild their lives.”
Ibadan is the third largest city in Nigeria in terms of population with more than 3.5 million inhabitants, after Lagos and Kano.