The scale of destruction from the massive explosion in Bodija, a highbrow area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, came to light yesterday.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who ruled out terrorism, gave the cause of the disaster as explosives stored by illegal miners in a building.
According to him, those behind the act will face the law. He said three people died and 77 others were injured.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the figure of buildings damaged at 58.
Many prominent residents of the city had their buildings damaged.
Some of these include Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun and Mrs. Olufunke Comforter-Olajide.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who commiserated with the government and the people of Oyo State, deployed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief to victims.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) resolved to review the laws on explosives as a result of the incident.
The Federal Government has also deployed investigators to the state.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the ministry was awaiting a comprehensive report.
Sympathising with the government and people, he said mine officers have also joined the probe.
NEMA Director General, Mustapha Ahmed, expressed dismay at how individuals could have stored up such explosive devices in residential areas.
He said: “Search and rescue is still ongoing. Regulatory bodies must all sit up. Keeping piles of explosives in a residential area is not acceptable.
“Disaster management is everybody’s business. If you see something, say something.
“About 58 houses were damaged; three lives have been lost. We don’t know the number of people in hospitals.
“We have seen documents and personal belongings of the people.
“The most disturbing aspect is that these particular people with the explosives have been there for a very long time.
“How come people kept that quantum of explosives for over ten years and nobody saw anything?
“These kinds of materials are not allowed in residential areas such as this.
“Regulatory bodies must ensure that nothing like this happens again.”
