Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State disclosed on Wednesday that the company that was responsible for the explosion on Tuesday at Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan had been identified, saying that it would be brought to justice.
Makinde made the disclosure on the explosion at a press conference held at the Briefing Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
The governor said that “Those who brought this tragedy on Oyo State will be brought to book.”
Assuring that the state government is on top of the incident of explosion and would leave no stone unturned to rescue victims from the rubble, Makinde called for calm.
The governor said some measures had been taken to address the situation. This, he said, included the inauguration of an Emergency Operation Centre to oversee search and rescue.
Makinde vowed that search and rescue efforts will continue until all lives in the vicinity of the blast are accounted for.
He disclosed that the state government had made provisions with hotels to accommodate victims and those living close to the site of the incident.
Governor Makinde who revealed that President Bola Tinubu commiserated with families of those who lost loved ones in the explosion with a promise that the Federal Government would give required support.
He expressed appreciation to the President for deploying the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to the scene of the explosion.
Recounting that three victims died in the incident with about 77 injured, Makinde warned residents of the state to be wary of misinforming the public on the fatalities of the incidents.
Makinde said, “Since yesterday, our security agencies, first responders, emergency services and all other relevant agencies have been working diligently as they carry out search and rescue operations.
“Just this morning, another individual was recovered from the rubble. I want to assure you that the search and rescue operation will continue until all lives within the vicinity of the blast are accounted for.
“We are aware that aside from the immediate perimeter of the incident, people as far as 25km away may have been affected physically or psychologically. We have, therefore, put the Emergency Operation Centre, which is being headed by Professor Temitope Alonge, to coordinate all search and rescue efforts.
“I would like to appeal to our people to remain calm as we do everything to provide succour to everyone concerned. Some numbers have been provided to reach out to the Emergency Operation Centre.
“I know the 615 is operational but there are additional ones: 07049948057 and 08147672009. If you have any information regarding any persons who may still be trapped within that perimeter. Please call that number and we will respond to you.”
The governor appealed to those staying in houses within 250 metres of ground zero to move out to government-provided accommodation until structural integrity test was conducted on the buildings.
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