The Oyo State governor, ‘SEYI MAKINDE, has received the official report of the January 16, 2024, explosion at Bodija, Ibadan.

The report, which comprises findings of the Medical, Security and Engineering Teams, was submitted to the governor at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Addressing a press conference at the Briefing Room of the Governor’s Office shortly after the presentation of the report, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, FATAI OWOSENI said that three persons of interest have been identified in connection with the cause of the unfortunate incident.

He added that the identified persons will face prosecution based on the investigation carried out.

OWOSENI clarified that the street where the incident happened is Aderinola Street and not Dejo Oyelese Street, as earlier widely reported, adding that the epicentre of the tragedy is No. 8A and No. 8B.

He also revealed that the character of the explosive is known as “Water Gel Type Based Explosive” and that the explosion was triggered by an electric spark, explaining further that a Closed-Circuit Television in one of the affected houses gave footage of how the incident happened.

He assured that the state government would bring the perpetrators to book, adding that the government would check on the immigration status of all the people of interest since most of them are from Mali.

Also addressing newsmen, the chairman, Nigeria Institute of Structural Engineers, MBIM OKUTINYANG, who is also the lead coordinator of the team that carried out structural integrity on the affected houses, said his team covered 282 houses and that only four of the houses would have to be demolished due to the degrees of the damage.

He, however, added that the seismic report was still being awaited.

Also contributing, the Head of the Emergency Operation Centre, Professor TEMITOPE ALONGE, said 80 victims in total were managed across various hospitals following the incident but that only five patients were on admission as of the time of the press conference.

He explained that four of the patients are being treated at the University College Hospital (UCH) and are at various levels of recovery, while one patient is at the Redeemers Hospital being managed for a spinal cord injury.

He said that most of the cases at UCH will likely be discharged within the next one week.

He added that some of the affected victims that experienced medical disorders such as respiratory illness had been treated, while those with symptoms suggestive of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are being attended to by clinical psychologists from UCH.