The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has termed the explosions that rocked parts of the state capital Tuesday around 7:45pm as an “uncommon explosion”.
The Commissioner on behalf of the state government has however assured the public that the state government is fully in control of the situation.
Security measures have been swiftly implemented, with Governor Seyi Makinde deploying security service chiefs, paramilitary forces, and Fire Service operatives to contain the aftermath of the explosion, which occurred at a private building on Dejo Oyelese street, Adeyi area of Bodija.
While the impact reportedly affected about four buildings in the immediate area, with shattered windows, collapsed walls, and injuries recorded, the repercussions reached neighboring areas including Sango, Mokola, University College Hospital (UCH), Agodi, Ojoo, Eleiyele, and Ologuneru.
The Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and other security agencies are on the scene, using bomb detectors to assess the situation. The Police Command in Oyo State, however, stated that the nature and cause of the explosion are yet to be ascertained, and the number of casualties remains unknown.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, reassured the public that the Commissioner of Police, Adebola Hamzat, and other responders are actively engaged in rescue operations. The command has deployed armed and plain-cloth officers to maintain order, emphasizing that updates on the incident will be provided as soon as possible. Early speculations ranged from a plane crash to an earth tremor, a bomb explosion, or a fire incident at a popular mall in the Bodija area.