Ibadan explosion: We picked up body parts from rubbles—Emergency Operation Centre

Chairman, Head of Emergency Operation Centre for Bodija Explosion, Prof. Temitope Alonge, has said apart from dead bodies recovered from the rubbles of the explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan, body parts were also picked from the epicentre of the blast.

This came as Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who arrived Ibadan, to assess situation after the explosions that rocked parts of the city, said whoever was found to be culpable of the man-made disaster would be dealt with decisively.

READ ALSO: Supporting Tinubu Not Betrayal To Atiku – Bwala

It will be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde of the state, weekend, presented a report on the explosion to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he said so far, five persons have been confirmed dead, while 77 people were said to be injured in the blast.

Alonge, who briefed Alake, who visited the epicenter of the explosion, said: “Many of the buildings within the 500 metres radius did not pass integrity test. We had two fatalities at that time, but on Tuesday night, there were three fatalities. One of them came to help people. Another woman was impaled. Those were identified that day.

“But, on Wednesday, we picked up some body parts. We had to wait for the safety of the medical staff. We were told of a woman, who came out wanting to rescue her mistress.

“Unfortunately, the mistress had been taken to the UCH. She decided to run into the house. She was impaled by the rubbles.”

On his part, the minister wondered how the suspected miners were able to harbour the explosives that wrecked havoc for years undetected. He said he didn’t say this as a minister but as a Nigerian.

He added that he was surprised at the calibre of people who live at a high profile place like Bodija, who have access to the authorities, that such a destructive weapon could be hidden for such a long time without them alerting the security agents.

Alake said: “There’s no way the residents of this area would not suspect that some one in this area is doing something untoward. They need to report without putting their names but the kernel of the information will be used.”

He noted that Federal Government would not be hasty in making any categorical statement until the forensic report of the investigation was released.

Meanwhile, some geologists from the University of Ibadan, were on ground to conduct the integrity test on the epicentre and the structures.