Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 general election has sent a condolence message to the people and government of Oyo State.
This follows the explosion that rocked the capital city of Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a self-signed message posted on his X handle today Wednesday, January 17, Atiku wrote; “I wish to express my condolences to the good people and government of Oyo State over the explosion that rocked the capital city of Ibadan late yesterday night.
“While the government continues to provide humanitarian support to victims of the explosion, I commiserate with the families of those who might have lost their lives and property to the explosion.”
Meanwhille, the Oyo State government has reacted to the explosion which left two people dead and 77 people injured, blaming it on illegal miners who stored explosive devices in one of the buildings in the Bodija area of Ibadan.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, the state governor, Seyi Makinde said, “We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan.
“This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties. We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations,’ he said.
He said preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that “illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast”.
Makinde said the investigations are ongoing and all those found culpable for this will be brought to book.
The governor said the rescue operations will continue throughout the night.
“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident.
“The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.”
Condoling the families of those who lost lives and properties to the explosion, the governor said “in total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and 2 fatalities. May their souls rest in peace and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.
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