The aftermath of the Tuesday night explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, has been revealed by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stating that more than 20 houses were impacted.

In a statement on Wednesday, NEMA clarified that there is currently no available information on casualty figures. The explosion, suspected to be caused by an Improvised Explosive Device, led to widespread panic among Ibadan residents.

The statement from NEMA highlighted the ongoing search and rescue operation, emphasising that casualty figures are yet to be determined. The agency assured residents of heightened security in the area, with plans for additional support to facilitate ongoing operations. According to NEMA, the situation has been controlled, and arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth continuation of operations.

Governor Seyi Makinde, reacting to the incident, disclosed preliminary findings from security agencies, suggesting that explosive devices stored by illegal miners triggered the explosion. While further investigations are underway, the governor pledged to hold anyone found guilty accountable. Makinde, who visited the explosion site on Tuesday night, announced the government's commitment to covering the medical bills of victims and providing support for those whose houses were affected, aiding in rebuilding their lives.

On the same night, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the occurrence of the explosion, though the number of casualties remained unknown. The command assured ample deployment of personnel to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Despite this, the state government urged residents to evacuate the incident scene, facilitating unimpeded emergency and rescue efforts. In a social media update on Wednesday morning, the government emphasised the continuous use of earth-moving equipment in the ongoing search and rescue operations, promising regular updates on the evolving situation.