Earlier, the state government said it was investigating the explosion to determine its cause.
The Oyo State Government says relevant agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the scene of Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the state capital.
Meanwhile, both the government and the police have said the cause of the explosion is still unknown.
“Update: Relevant agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the scene of the incident. Residents of the State are urged to remain calm as the Oyo State Government is on top of the situation,” the state government said on Tuesday night.
Earlier, the state government said it was investigating the explosion to determine its cause.
A loud bang was heard around Agbowo, Samonda, Sango, Orogun and Bodija areas of the city on Tuesday evening, causing panic.
“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,” the state government said in its earlier statement.
The Oyo State Police Command has said the explosion that rocked Ibadan, the capital city on Tuesday evening occurred around Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of the metropolis.
The police, however, said the cause of the explosion was still unknown, but added that there was ample deployment to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“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.
“The Oyo State Police Command has ample deployment to forestall any breakdown of law and order,” a statement from the spokesperson for the state police command, Adewale Osifeso said on Tuesday night.
“Updates coming up soon,” it added.
Some residents said that the explosion came from a gas plant.
However, media could not independently confirm the information at the time of filing this report.
For the first Government should be frank about the casualties and the cause of the explosion. This is most likely a terrorist attack and it’s impacts is overwhelming in the social political & economics lives of the people. So sad that more than 11 hours after the incidence, no cause of explosion has been stated to the public. Too many uncertainties over the cause & effects of the explosion. So sad