By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde said security agencies are still investigating the immediate and remote cause of the explosion that rocked Adeyi Area, Old Bodija, Ibadan last week Tuesday.
This is as he commends security operatives for maintaining law and order within the axis as well as residents and citizens for complying and cooperating during search and rescue.
Makinde made the remarks while giving an update on the incident via his official Facebook page.
The governor who noted that fatalities still stood at five explained that clinical psychologist has commenced counselling for victims of the incident at the Emergency Operations Centre.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting all victims of the unfortunate incident promising that everyone responsible will be brought to book.
He also thanked his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for releasing the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to support search and rescue efforts while also expressing same courtesy to the Nigerian Society of Engineers who have been carrying out structural integrity tests on structures around the ground zero.
He disclosed that the team are conducting test on about 230 properties around the site of the explosion; 13 houses within 50 metres radius of the blast site, 40 houses at 100 metres radius; 122 houses at 200 metres radius and 53 houses within a 250 metres radius.
Makinde said “I commend our security agencies in Oyo State who have been maintaining law and order in around Bodija this week as well as residents who have been complying with directives from these officers.
“Yesterday, the medical team at the Emergency Operations Centre and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, visited two of the hospitals where victims from the incident were taken and over 90 percent of the victims have been discharged.
“The death toll from the incident currently stands at five persons.
“The clinical psychologist has commenced counselling for victims of the incident at the Emergency Operations Centre in Ibadan.
“The operations at Ground Zero have moved from search and rescue to recovery.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Society of Engineers who have been carrying out structural integrity tests on about 230 properties around the site of the explosion; 13 houses within 50 metres radius of the blast site, 40 houses at 100 metres radius; 122 houses at 200 metres radius and 53 houses within a 250 metres radius.
“We are also grateful to my brother, Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu for releasing the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to support us, and for the assistance offered by the team led by Engineer Olatunde Akinsanya, the Director of Operations.
“The security agencies are still investigating the incident and an update on their investigation will be publicised.
“Our administration remains committed to supporting all victims of this unfortunate incident and ensuring that everyone responsible is brought to book.
“Please contact the Emergency Operations Centre on 07049948057 or 08147672009 for any issues related to the Bodija Incident.”
Corenews reports that the state government on Saturday said it has concluded rescue operations on the site of the explosion, adding that fumigation of the site has began.
It was also gathered that fatalities recovered have been taken to the morgue while forensic test of body parts recovered is also ongoing to cross-check if it matches recovered bodies or are new additional fatalities.
As at the time of going to Press, the scene is still been monitored by combined team of security operatives including soldiers, police, DSS operatives, NSCDC officials and Amotekun Corps.
