By Adenle Ahmed Abiola
The Oyo State government has debunked the claims linking the recent explosion in Ibadan to Boko Haram attack or helicopter discharge.
Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, Fatai Owoseni made the denial on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference held in the briefing in Ibadan, the State’s capital, Owoseni described the claims as misinformation, said: “people have come out to say that Boko Haram elements have been allowed to invade Oyo State, especially Ibadan”.
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“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” Owoseni declared.
On rescue operations, Owoseni confirmed that this is still underway, disclosing that two more dead bodies have been recovered to make five casualties from the explosion.
He said: ” the security agencies, especially the police, the Department of State Services being supported by the Nigerian Army team Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, as well are putting the bits and pieces of information together to ensure that discreet information is done towards prosecution to ensure that whoever, either directly or remotely connected with that incident, are brought to justice.”
However, The Eagle Online gathered that soldiers have been stationed at the scene of the incident in order to restrict access, as well as prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the incident to loot the property of victims.
Speaking in an interview, at the scene of the explosion, the Head of the emergency operation centre, Temitope Alonge, maintained that his team would continue its search for survivors, until all victims were accounted for.
Alonge, who is a former Chief Medical Director at University College Hospital, Ibadan, said: “the storm has yet to settle, but it’s time to pick up what is left of the disaster site of Tuesday’s deadly explosion in Bodija which led to the loss of five persons and about 77 sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
“Earth-moving equipment has been deployed to the scene to clear the debris and perhaps rescue more victims.
“The emergency operation team is also on ground to ensure the flow of evacuation. Residents fortunate to pick up what is left of their property have headed for safer locations as the State government has ordered an evacuation due to safety concerns.” he added.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Army, has clarified that the deadly explosion was not handiwork of terrorists.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday, said, “The Army has been part of the rescue mission since the night of the incident.
“The General Officer Commanding, Major General Bamidele Alabi led his men to the scene that night to cordon off the place, and they were part of the rescue team.
“They did not just go there today. Let me add that the incident was not a terrorist attack”.
The entire country was taken by surprise Tuesday night, when a deadly eruption occurred in both commercial and residential Bodija area, in the earth of Ibadan city.
There is no official reason yet for the explosion and no one or party has claimed responsibility for the blast.
