On Tuesday evening, there was panic in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, as a tremendous explosion shook the historic city, causing structures to collapse owing to the intense vibration.
Residents who talked with reporters said the blast wave hit buildings and cars far from the explosion site.
“We heard a loud bang around 07:30pm. Dominos shattered, Ace Mall in Bodija destroyed,” a panic-stricken resident said.
The number of casualties could not be confirmed as of press time but it was gathered that victims have been rushed to hospitals while some residents are trapped in the rubble of buildings that caved in due to the impact of the blast.
The Zonal Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South-West, Saheed Akiode,said that emergency responders including the operatives of the Fire Service in Oyo State have been deployed to the scene of the incident on Awolowo Way by Adeyi Avenue, behind a Central Mosque, in Bodija.
Also, in a terse statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Oyo State Government said it is aware of reports of an explosion in the state.
“Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident,” the government said.
The Oyo State Government is aware of reports of an explosion in Ibadan. Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident pic.twitter.com/cS04PCEnVo
— Oyo State Government (@oyostategovt) January 16, 2024
In an update, the state government said, “Relevant agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the scene of the incident.”
Similarly, the Oyo State Police Command in a post on X confirmed the explosion.
Explosion around Dejo Oyelese Street Bodija Ibadan around 7:44pm today Tuesday 17/01/2024.
The cause of the explosion is unknown.Number of Dead and Injured yet unknown as search continues.
Ample deployment on ground
Updates coming up soon.— Oyo State Police Command (@OyoPoliceNG) January 16, 2024
If you are a Medical personnel in Ibadan & close by, please your help & assistance is needed at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija.
There are casualties there. Please help RT
— Dr. Chinonso Egemba (@aproko_doctor) January 16, 2024
BLOOD DONORS ARE NEEDED AT ADEYI AVENUE BODIJA IBADAN.
PLEASE REPOST THIS FAST!!
— DREMO?? (@Dremodrizzy) January 16, 2024
We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 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… pic.twitter.com/fDb3EKo55h
— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) January 17, 2024
If you’re close to J-Rapha hospital, in Aare, Bodija, blood donors are needed.
Please repost.
— ???? ??? ??????? ????? (@ms___dale) January 16, 2024
EMERGENCY!!!
If you are a Medical personnel in Ibadan & environs.
Your help & assistance is needed right now at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija.
There are serious casualties there.
Kindly treat it as URGENT.
RETWEET.
— Alhaji (@yeankhar) January 16, 2024
Anyone who has the number or has access to the ambulance services in Ibadan/Oyo state should please contact them to make their way to Adeyi avenue in Bodija.
There are reports of casualties who need urgent medical attention.
Please share
— ỌMỌ́TÁRÁ ÀKÀNNÍ-LAWRENCE (@_theladymo) January 16, 2024
IBADAN EXPLOSION UPDATE: More persons discovered injured and several buildings around Bodija Estate substantially collapsed or damaged by the explosion believe to be from Gas plant along Aderinola Road, Bodija Estate at about 7:25pm today. Emergency responders now on ground. pic.twitter.com/D50EE1rGNH
— Eons Intelligence (@eonsintelligenc) January 16, 2024
BLOOD DONORS ARE NEEDED AT ADEYI AVENUE BODIJA IBADAN.
Please repost. ???
— RUTH ?? (@rutie_xx) January 16, 2024
Update on the Ibadan blast
There’s an illegal mining operation in Old Bodija.Exact Location: Dejo Oyelese Close, Off Adeyi Avenue,Old Bodija
Indicting papers were found on the crash site
So, it’s probably a dynamite explosion.
The police and DSS are on the case.
— Nuclear PR (@nuclearpr_) January 16, 2024
This just happened at Bodija in Ibadan due to the previous Explosion
May God keep us safe in this country
It’s seeming like a bomb fr pic.twitter.com/HsoWUthix3— TheheirofBarcelona (@Theheir01) January 16, 2024
People dïèd while some were injurêd due to the expl0sïon in Ibadan along Bodija.
Medical personnels are needed there urgently,please retweet
— ?b??? (@abazwhyllzz) January 16, 2024
Apparently it was the Gasland around Bodija !! My friend sent me these videos of his house in ADEYI Bodija ! At the back of ace mall !
Viewers discretion ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qVOL5oXZP1
— IG: lordozii ( ALARIWO OF AFRICA ) (@RealOzii) January 16, 2024