The identity of the alleged miner behind the explosion that shook Ibadan Tuesday has been revealed. He is Sawani Yusuf, a foreigner.
The Oyo State House of Assembly revealed this during its plenary session on Thursday.
The House Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, revealed the identity of the foreigner as the one whose property allegedly housed the explosives that caused the massive explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street in Bodija.
While the nationality of the alleged culprit remains unconfirmed, the Assembly called on security agencies to intensify their efforts to hold all those involved in the explosion accountable.
The House deliberation followed a motion moved by Adebayo Babajide, representing Ibadan North Constituency II, in a motion titled “Urgent need for all regulatory agencies to apply safety precautions, especially in the handling and storage of explosives (dynamites) in view of the explosion that shook the old Bodija area in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
The House frowned at the manner in which such explosives were brought and kept in a residential area. He also asked who authorized the maintenance or storage of such devices in the house.
In separate presentations, lawmakers lamented the explosion and noted that the Ojoo gemstone market remained the largest in Africa, with many expatriates living in the area.
The House asked the government and security agencies to widen the investigative network to ensure that no stone was left unturned in the attempt to comprehensively address the consequences of the blast.
The Oyo House of Assembly commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his prompt response, payment of hospital bills of the injured and provision of alternative accommodation for displaced residents. He also expressed his gratitude to the security agencies for rising to the occasion.
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The House particularly commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for their rapid deployment of personnel to the explosion site.
A call was also made to the federal government and its emergency response agencies to come to the aid of the victims of the explosion.
While urging security agencies to embark on intelligence gathering to identify residences of other possible illegal miners and expatriates, the House asked all regulatory agencies to enforce security precautions, especially in handling and storage of explosives, among others.
In his statement, the Chairman, Adebo Ogundoyin, stressed the need for patience on the part of members.
“For now, let’s wait for the outcome of the security investigation to shed more light on what happened. As soon as we have more information, I am sure we will be able to deliberate further on the next course of action.
“We also want the Ministry of Environment to examine state environmental laws to establish the consequences of the actions of the perpetrators. If there is none, then we have to take immediate steps to correct the loophole in the laws,” Ogundoyin said.
He directed the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee to investigate the law’s provisions to determine next legislative action and directed the committee to report its findings to the House within a week.