The Oyo state government has said the death toll in Tuesday’s explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, has risen to five.

Yesterday, Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde, speaking at a press conference after his initial visit to the site of the explosion, said three fatalities were recorded. In contrast, 77 others were injured in the incident.

Makinde noted that preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices, which caused the blast.

However, in an update given by the Special Adviser to the Oyo state governor on security, Fatai Owoseni, the state government said two more deaths have been recorded today, noting that the rescue operation is still ongoing.