Dele Alake: FG will issue statement on Ibadan explosion after investigations are concluded

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says the federal government would await conclusion of investigations into the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, before making a statement.

Alake spoke in Ibadan on Monday when he visited the scene of the incident, after which he met with Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo.

On January 17, an explosion rocked Dejo Oyelese Street located at the Bodija axis of Ibadan.

Five persons have been confirmed dead while 77 others were said to be injured in the blast.

On Sunday, Makinde said over 90 percent of the victims of the explosion have been discharged from the hospital.

The governor had said initial investigations showed that the explosion was caused by explosive devices stored in a residential apartment by illegal miners.

Briefing journalists after assessing ground zero, Alake said part of the reason for his visit was to thank Makinde “who has done a yeoman’s job”.

The minister added that President Bola Tinubu, whom Makinde had presented a report on the incident, is impressed with the governor’s handling of the situation.

“He has done well in terms of the speed of his response to this unfortunate incident. You recall that I told you that the president put a phone call through to Governor Makinde to commend and sympathise with him as well as the people of Oyo State, including the victims,” Alake said.

“So, this is a culmination of the establishment of the acknowledgement of the federal government on what the governor and the state government have done, which is very remarkable.

“The president is very impressed and we are all impressed too. Nobody wishes for any disaster but we wish that our people would respond commendably to any situation at all. And, on our own part, we immediately swung into action.

“We will allow the investigating agencies, various agencies, including technical and intelligence agencies to conclude their forensic investigations before we make any categorical and viable statement on the issue.”

Alake said the federal government would respond to all issues and keep everyone informed at the end of the investigations.