Ibadan explosion: FG awaits forensic investigation on actual causes of incident

The Federal Government, has announced that it awaits the outcome of the forensic investigation ordered to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State capital last week.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, had ordered an immediate investigation into the tragic incident of the Ibadan blast that has left five victims dead and about 77 sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

WesternPost also reported last week that Tinubu directed a team of investigators through the Ministry of Solid Minerals to be deployed to the state and have since begun work “trying to find out what the course is’.

Thereafter, the Minister, Dele Alake issued a statement of condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and other victims. The minister also commended the Oyo State Government for mobilising a relief response.

The ministry has deployed Mine Inspectorate officers to the site of the explosion to work with other security agencies in uncovering the cause of the blast.

In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Segun Tomori, stated that the Federal Government is awaiting the results of forensic investigations to determine the explosives type that triggered the explosion, as well as the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident resulting in loss of lives and properties.

Alongside the press statement personally signed by Dr. Alake to convey his deepest sympathies to the people of Oyo State, he has also been at the forefront of working with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence.

Last week Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting, President Bola Tinubu took a step to holistically address insecurity around our nation’s natural resources by constituting an inter-ministerial committee led by Dr. Alake to come up with a blueprint to effectively and efficiently secure solid minerals, forests, and marine economy, which constitutes Nigeria’s natural resources.

The committee held a maiden meeting last Friday and has been working round the clock to draw up strategies of achieving the presidential mandate. In the coming days, there will be an expanded meeting with heads of security agencies, which will assist the committee in getting the requisite inputs that will guide it in turning in a robust report to the President.

The Minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to addressing challenges from the root, hence its resolve to await the outcome of painstaking forensic investigations on the Ibadan explosion before making a definite pronouncement.

“The honourable minister believes that in sensitive situations like this, the security agencies should be allowed to do their job, as against acting on speculations. That way, the people are better informed, culprits can be brought to book, and concerted efforts can be put in place to avoid a recurrence,” the statement added.