| Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by ijustdey: 3:59pm On Jan 17 |
*’They’ve been there since 2013′; UK returnee dead, Bola Ige’s house affected A survivor of the explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday, has said it was foreigners, who engaged in illegal mining activities, that caused the explosion. He added that they ran out just before the blast.
The survivor, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, lived next to the epicentre (ground zero) of the explosion.
Though the official announcement of the casualty figure is yet to be made, Vanguard gathered that three people died in the explosion.
UK returnee dead
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that one of the deceased is a United Kingdom, UK, returnee.
A viral video credits one Honourable Ayode Jajaye as stating that the UK returnee is the son of one of the landlords in the Ibadan estate where the explosion occurred.
He said: “Look at the guy that just died. He just came from the UK about a week ago. He’s a son to a landlord in this estate.
“My conclusion is that the government should investigate this situation. The casualties are too much. Look at damages. We can’t just look away.
“There are so many collateral damages that have happened.”
At the scene of the explosion yesterday, a body was brought out of the rubble and put in a body bag.
Earlier, the Oyo State Government had announced that two people died in the unfortunate incident. Also, a survivor who was seriously injured was wheeled into a waiting ambulance.
How I survived — Mohammed
Speaking with Vanguard at the scene, Mohammed said he was rushed to the hospital and discharged this morning.
He said he escaped death by the whiskers because he offered to help his neighbor put out the fire that preceded the explosion.
Recall that his claim that foreign illegal miners caused the explosion was earlier voiced by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Narrating the events that preceded the explosion, Mohammed said: “Around 7 p.m. last night (Tuesday), I was going to pray.
“As I was standing to start the prayer, I noticed some fire burning in the next house. So, I stopped the prayer and quickly picked my fire extinguisher.
“I told my boys that the neighbor’s house is on fire, let’s go and help.
“I then came downstairs. One guy saw me and said the fire was beyond what an extinguisher can put out. I then picked my phone to call the fire brigade men.
“However, the next thing I heard was that blast. It threw me off the ground and landed me on the stairs. Part of the house had cracked. My boys advised that I should jump.
“Fire started just a metre away from that house and as of the time we came downstairs, there was no one on the premises.”
The foreigners
Also, speaking on the occupants of the house, he said: “The house where the fire started is occupied by a Senagalese or Namibian and they engage in mining activities.
“Definitely, they had explosives inside the building. The explosion was as a result of the explosives kept in the building.
“The foreigners have been living in here since 2013. They go in the morning and come back in the evening. I wouldn’t know if their immediate neighbour knows they are into mining.”
“The foreigners ran out before the explosion.”
Furthermore, he clarified that immediately after the foreigners saw the raging fire, they knew the implications because of what they kept inside.
Mohammed said: “They, including their children, ran out of the house and they didn’t alert us so that we could run away too.
“They knew the implications when they saw the fire. So they ran out without alerting us. Thank God I came down trying to help put out the fire. I would have been dead by now.
“The whole house would have collapsed on me. I wanted to save the house of my neighbor from being burnt. That’s what saved me. If anyone had been in the house, the person would have gone.”
Asked if he knew his neighbors were illegal miners he said: “We have them all over. They are also at Orogun. That’s their trade and that’s what they came to Nigeria to do. And explosives are part of the things they use in blasting. Definitely, they had kept them in the house.”
Explosion caused by illegal miners — Governor Makinde
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also attributed the explosion to explosive devices stored by illegal miners.
He added that two persons died in the explosion, which occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on January 16. He added that about 77 persons were injured.
Recall that at about 7.44 pm, Tuesday, January 16, a loud explosion was heard in different parts of the state capital leading to panic and confusion.
In a press release shared on his verified X page on Wednesday morning, Makinde explained that the preliminary investigations revealed that illegal miners stored explosive devices in one of the houses in Bodija.
He said: “We visited the scene of the explosion in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties.
“We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations. These operations will continue throughout the night.
“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident.
Welfare
“The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.
“In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
“I have directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected.
“I urge all residents to please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time. They should remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident.”
… sets up emergency situation room
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr Suleiman Olanrewaju, he noted that “the State Government has set up an Emergency Situation Room for the Bodija incident led by Professor Temitope Alonge.
“Search and rescue efforts at the site of the incident continued overnight. Updates from the Emergency Situation Room will be publicised through official government accounts and media channels.
“The contact numbers for the Situation Room are 07049948057 and 08147672009.
“Residents are advised to stay away from the site of the incident and call 615 free of charge for emergencies in Oyo State.”
Bola Ige’s residence affected
Meanwhile, the residence of the late Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, was also affected by the Ibadan explosion.
His son, Architect Muyiwa Bola Ige spoke with Vanguard.
He said: “We thank God for life and for those who survived the unfortunate incident. The effect is that lives were lost.
“It affected my house we are just a few metres away from the epicenter and the gravity led to the damages we have here. We thank no life is lost here. The blast shattered the windows and roofs.
“Structurally, the building is intact. I have gone around to do the analysis.
“Yes, we are hearing that the explosion was caused by some illegal miners. That would be grossly unfortunate that someone could keep such dangerous things in the residential area. I have spoken to the leadership of this residents’ association to find out who the persons are.
“Do they have the inclination of what their activities are? We should not jump the gun. But it is evident because there is a crater at the epicenter. It’s unacceptable.
“Glasses were blown out, roof surfaces caved in. If they knew what they had and they kept it in a residential area, then they are suicidal.
“We must identify who they are. If they are still alive. And some people have died based on the consequences of what they had done, they should be brought to book.”
He said he had to rush back home when a friend told him about the explosion. He noted that he came to rescue the grandchildren of someone close to him.
Meanwhile, there were fears that some unexploded bombs could still be at the place. Security officers were warning thousands of people at the scene to move away as staying there could be risky.
Schools shut down
Two private schools in the area were shut. Barakat and the Educational Advancement Centre were locked. Their students came to resume only to be sent back home by their teachers.
When Vanguard got to the scene, there was gridlock as a result of the large crowds trooping to the scene of the explosion.
Also, security agents had a hectic time controlling the crowd that was bent on having a glimpse of the scene.
At the spot, rescue teams were working seriously in search victims under the rubble.
Meanwhile, Vanguard was reliably informed that several children of a popular school that is located at Idi Ishin were injured and taken to the hospital. They used the building opposite the epicenter as hostels.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Bayo Lawa, and Senator Sarafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South senatorial districts were early callers at the scene.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebola Hamzat; soldiers; Red Cross; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; Department of State Services, DSS; fire brigade men, bomb detectors, National Emergency Agency, NEMA, were all on ground. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/01/ibadan-explosion-foreign-illegal-miners-ran-out-of-the-house-before-explosion-survivor/ 6 Likes 4 Shares 
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| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Zonefree(m): 4:01pm On Jan 17 |
Federal government should investigate this IbaGaza case very well. 74 Likes 10 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Throwback: 4:06pm On Jan 17 |
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. 137 Likes 11 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by coolcharm(m): 4:10pm On Jan 17 |
Illegal miners in a state capital for 11 years without any apprehension? Top shots in government must be involved. 171 Likes 15 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Nbote(m): 4:11pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame. Which intelligence  They are aware and have sold the nation to the Chinese. Come to Abuja, Nassarawa, Niger and some other states, illegal mining is going on on a full scale. Infact if you see the military convoy that escorts these supposed construction company vehicles ehn 145 Likes 12 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Zonefree(m): 4:11pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. Blame Tinubu and APC. When the head is rotten, Intelligence Service cannot function. 37 Likes 7 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by NzogbuNzogbu: 4:15pm On Jan 17 |
I find it suspicious that every security issue now is now sharply tied to mining
Is it the mining that is also responsible for the banditry and kidnap for ransom across the roads
Did bomb blast not happen in ondo church that year, don't these dots connect to some takeover ethnic cleansing
SS/SE that are hostile to terrorists are not having mining issues 22 Likes 5 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by MadamExcellency: 4:18pm On Jan 17 |
“However, the next thing I heard was that blast. It threw me off the ground and landed me on the stairs. Part of the house had cracked. My boys advised that I should jump.
This story no dey straight but the only thing that made me happy is the statement in bold. Bravo my boys for saving your daddy's life. 13 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Throwback: 4:21pm On Jan 17 |
Zonefree:
Blame Tinubu and APC.
When the head is rotten, Intelligence Service cannot function. So the Intelligence Service just became rotten like the Police too became rotten in 2023? Did the illegal mining just start in 2023? 45 Likes 4 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by christejames(m): 4:22pm On Jan 17 |
This case should not be thrown under the carpet like previous ones olorun  The govt should make sure they investigate this and come up with the real cause of this tragic event  It's high time the govt starts taking responsibility! 4 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Throwback: 4:22pm On Jan 17 |
coolcharm:
Illegal miners in a state capital for 11 years without any apprehension? Top shots in government must be involved. It is a shame and disgrace 11 Likes |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by LegendHero(m): 4:32pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. We all know Nigeria police and intelligence agency are slacking. I don’t know whether to say they are completely useless because of how overstretched they are. However, the people should be the intelligence themselves. The earlier we Nigeria know that policing is a shared effort the better for us. Nigeria is underpoliced and that is the reality. 300k police cannot manage this much population without people giving them information. If people in the area know that illegal miners store their mining stuffs in the house which they know is very bad for safety. They should be the one to go report out there to the authorities. Then if the authorities fail to act, that is where the problem then lie. 14 Likes |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by chiagozien(m): 4:36pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. You forget to mention one Nigeria terrorists What are they even mining? Skulls? 12 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by EKONGKING: 4:36pm On Jan 17 |
So he came all the way from uk to die . 1 Like |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by LegendHero(m): 4:41pm On Jan 17 |
NzogbuNzogbu:
I find it suspicious that every security issue now is now sharply tied to mining
Is it the mining that is also responsible for the banditry and kidnap for ransom across the roads
Did bomb blast not happen in ondo church that year, don't these dots connect to some takeover ethnic cleansing
SS/SE that are hostile to terrorists are not having mining issues You people sha want this to be called a terrorist attack badly so you can be happy that Yoruba people are going through this and find a way to link it to them voting against Obi. Lot of people like you are on Twitter running around sad because it was not a terrorists attack. One would think if Obi suddenly becomes the president, that no disaster will Ever happen in Nigeria again and everyone will suddenly become immortal. 48 Likes 8 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Kukutente23: 4:46pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. Is it not curious that while the mining is ongoing in broad daylight, they are never termed illegal but the moment something goes wrong, they become illegal miners. Someone just shared a link with me of a gemstone market opened in Ibadan last year to enable miners sell their wares with more ease by the former ministerfor steel and mines with the governor represented. 14 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Kukutente23: 4:49pm On Jan 17 |
LegendHero:
You people sha want this to be called a terrorist attack badly so you can be happy that Yoruba people are going through this and find a way to link it to them voting against Obi.
Lot of people like you are on Twitter running around sad because it was not a terrorists attack.
One would think if Obi suddenly becomes the president, that no disaster will
Ever happen in Nigeria again and everyone will suddenly become immortal.
Leave those daft deluded souls If it was a terrorist attack, won't the attackers have come out by now to claim responsibility? 24 Likes 4 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by happney65: 4:50pm On Jan 17 |
coolcharm:
Illegal miners in a state capital for 11 years without any apprehension? Top shots in government must be involved. 11 ke? More than 11 years sef. It's been in existence since ever and not recent 1 Like |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Kukutente23: 4:50pm On Jan 17 |
LegendHero:
We all know Nigeria police and intelligence agency are slacking. I don’t know whether to say they are completely useless because of how overstretched they are.
However, the people should be the intelligence themselves. The earlier we Nigeria know that policing is a shared effort the better for us.
Nigeria is underpoliced and that is the reality. 300k police cannot manage this much population without people giving them information.
If people in the area know that illegal miners store their mining stuffs in the house which they know is very bad for safety. They should be the one to go report out there to the authorities.
Then if the authorities fail to act, that is where the problem then lie.
But the people never knew or didn't you read the Op? Why do you guys enjoy blaming the victims in defense of your favourite politicians 3 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by PaellaPaella: 4:53pm On Jan 17 |
LegendHero:
You people sha want this to be called a terrorist attack badly so you can be happy that Yoruba people are going through this and find a way to link it to them voting against Obi.
Lot of people like you are on Twitter running around sad because it was not a terrorists attack.
One would think if Obi suddenly becomes the president, that no disaster will
Ever happen in Nigeria again and everyone will suddenly become immortal.
Why do you always making pointless comments on Nairaland? when are you going to be sensible once in your life time? 24 Likes 4 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Iceberg3: 4:54pm On Jan 17 |
The report says,the foreigners are involved in " mining activities"  |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by LegendHero(m): 4:55pm On Jan 17 |
PaellaPaella:
Why do you always making pointless comments on Nairaland? when are you going to be sensible once in your life time? It might look pointless to you when I call out you guys nonsense. Every official statement said it is from those illegal miners house and you can even see several eye witness alleging to that. Then every damn time you people keep trying to guide it to terrorism at every instant. Why not just loft this mask you’re trying to put on and be bold enough to say you are happy that this is happening in Ibadan? Even this lewnaric Simon Ekpa still found a way to link this to themselves. 22 Likes 1 Share 
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| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by jmoore(m): 4:57pm On Jan 17 |
You cannot mine in secret.
Any community where mining is going on, the local government authorities know about it. 11 Likes |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by NzogbuNzogbu: 4:57pm On Jan 17 |
LegendHero:
You people sha want this to be called a terrorist attack badly so you can be happy that Yoruba people are going through this and find a way to link it to them voting against Obi.
Lot of people like you are on Twitter running around sad because it was not a terrorists attack.
One would think if Obi suddenly becomes the president, that no disaster will
Ever happen in Nigeria again and everyone will suddenly become immortal.
abdul all I said was why the urgency to always tag everything mining related A gov that doesn't have intelligence to know illegal miners are operating since suddenly does overnight Everything should not be abt obi 12 Likes 3 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Racoon(m): 4:58pm On Jan 17 |
Imagine it is foreigners that are causing citizens this needless pain in their own country. 5 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by LegendHero(m): 4:59pm On Jan 17 |
NzogbuNzogbu:
abdul all I said was why the urgency to always tag everything mining related What should they tag it as? Please educate me Shibuzo. 6 Likes |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by NzogbuNzogbu: 5:02pm On Jan 17 |
LegendHero:
What should they tag it as?
Please educate me Shibuzo.
abdul why is due diligence not taken before jumping to conclusion by authorities Where was this quick hasty media coloration before the event materialized after 12 years as stated 8 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by nigeriansamurai(m): 5:10pm On Jan 17 |
You sure say this thing no be terrorist attack? 2 Likes 1 Share |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by MyVILLAGEpeople(m): 5:20pm On Jan 17 |
coolcharm:
Illegal miners in a state capital for 11 years without any apprehension? Top shots in government must be involved. Definitely. Illegal mining is a big business for the ogas at the top. |
| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by ATEAMS: 5:24pm On Jan 17 |
Ommoh |
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| Re: Ibadan Explosion: Foreign Illegal Miners Ran Out Of The House Before Explosion — by Brendaniel: 5:25pm On Jan 17 |
Throwback:
And we say we have an Intelligence Service in this country?
They seem to be the most useless organization in Nigeria.
More useless than the Police.
Chai!
Anyone can come in and do anyhow in Nigeria, and all their neighbours would know except the Intelligence services.
Little wonder they cannot use Intelligence to defeat boko haram, IPOB-UGM, and the many terrorist bandits.
What a national shame.
Whoever is handling any of the Intelligence units/services in Ibadan/Oyo State should be fired immediately. And you still found way to shift blame away from Tinubu, Tinubu is charge of all government intelligence agencies in Nigeria , what is he doing about it? 4 Likes 2 Shares |
