Oyo to prosecute three ‘persons of interest’ over Ibadan explosion

The Oyo state government says three persons found culpable in the explosion that rocked Ibadan, the state capital, have been identified and will be prosecuted.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital on Wednesday, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, special adviser on media to the governor of Oyo, said the three persons were identified in the report on the incident.

Olanrewaju said the report which comprises findings of the medical, security and engineering teams, was submitted to  Seyi Makinde, the governor, on Tuesday.

On January 16, five persons died and over 70 were injured in an explosion that occurred on Aderinola street, Dejo Oyelese close, Adeyi Avenue, Bodija.

Makinde had said the explosion was caused by explosive devices stored in an apartment, adding that foreigners were involved.

According to the statement, Owoseni said “a majority “of the culprits are from Mali, adding that the government would investigate their immigration status.

He stated that the character of the explosive is known as “water gel type based explosive”, adding that the explosion was triggered by an electric spark.

“The EOC has so far collated information, data of things that happened there and some of the data collated include census of the respective houses and the fatalities that were affected including the extent of losses suffered,” the statement reads.

“As of 6 p.m. on Friday, 3rd of February, which was the 18th day of the incident, a total of 335 affected persons registered at the emergency situation centre including 16 companies or business operators, churches, mosques, three schools and the UCH also approached the centre to report on their losses.

“The losses reported also include fatality, injuries of various degrees, damages ranging from total collapse and submerging of houses, houses that suffered collateral damage and the ones that suffered minimal damages.”

On the first phase of the executive order signed by the state government, Owoseni said no one came forward as of the time the 72-hour deadline elapsed.

“And the second phase is where we are now, which states that anyone that comes in possession of harmful substances should declare to the office of Special Adviser of Security to the governor within 24hrs,” he said.

The report on the incident comprises findings of the medical, security and engineering.