Panic in Ibadan as Explosion Shatters Houses
Panic erupted on Tuesday evening in some parts of Ibadan following a loud noise which pavaded the areas like a earth quake or explosion.
In some of the areas where the incident were noticed including, Bodija, Apete, Oke itunu (Mokola), Elebu, Kuola, Orita Challenge, Idi-Ishin and Odogbo Military Cantonment, Ojoo, residents who were panicked narrated that their buildings shook thereby causing damages.
The situation is more tensed at bodija as a popular commercial centre Ace Mall were badly affected, with noticeable collapse including the Domino pizza outlet on the axis
A close source at the university college hospital, Ibadan narrated that the windows of the School of Nursing got shattered as the loud sound shook the entire building
The UCH experience was also widespread in all the areas where the incident occurred as the quantum of building damaged caused panic to residents, thereby leaving the people into a guess work of a possible explosion or natural earth Quake.
At Dejó Oyelese Street off Adeyi Avenue in Bódìjà, about five street were affected as many buildings collapsed with occupants trapped under the debries.
While It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion or where it originated, the Oyo state police command has confirmed the incident but said the cause was unknown , saying no casualty could be confirmed as search operations was ongoing.
According to the police public relations officer, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, The Oyo state Commissioner of Police in company of some senior officers had responded for on the spot assessment and rescue operation while armed and plain clothe officers had been deployed to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile the Oyo state government in a statement by the commissioner for information and orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade who noted that there were various interpretation to the incident but called for calm saying government had taken over with security chiefs and Fire Service deployed to the scene to reign the spill over of the explosion.
As of the time of filling this report, various security operatives were on ground at the scene carrying rescue operation as well as patrolling the metropolis.
