The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals development, has vowed to issue a definite pronouncement on individuals found culpable of causing the multiple explosions that caused the death of five persons, damaging about 58 houses and inflicting serious injuries on 77 residents of the Adeyi area at Old Bodija last Tuesday.
This was it said it is waiting for the outcome of the forensic investigation ordered to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic incident.
A statement by the Special Assistant on media to the minister, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja said the government is committed to addressing challenges from the root, hence its resolve to await the outcome of painstaking forensic investigations.
According to the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, preliminary investigations revealed that explosive devices were stored inside a house in the Bodija area of the state capital by illegal miners.
The statement said President Bola Tinubu, it would be recalled, placed a telephone call to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, immediately after the tragic incident, in the presence of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, to commiserate with him, victims, and the good people of Oyo State.
Thereafter, the Minister 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 relief response.
The statement read, “The Federal Government is now waiting for the outcome of forensic investigations that will determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of lives and properties.
“The Ministry also deployed Mine Inspectorate officers to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies to unravel the cause of the explosion.”
The Minister further 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 concluded.