By Halimah Olamide
There is confusion in Ibadan the Oyo state capital Tuesday evening as explosions are said to be currently rocking the city.
As at the time of filing this report, no one had confirmed the source and cause of the explosions as residents scampered for safety. Residents in different parts of the city claim they heard the loud explosions but could not confirm the exact locations.
Among residents who have confirmed the explosion online is a renown publisher and educationist, Mr. Gbenro Adegbola who wrote on his X handle “There’s just been a deafening explosion in Ibadan. Hearing reports from far away places from my neighbourhood that they heard it too.”
NPO Reports learnt that a popular supermarket near the Central Mosque, Bodija, Ace Mall collapsed as a result of the loud explosions.
An official of the UCH who however sought not to be named said the teaching hospital had recorded heavy damage.
The whole stretch of Awolowo Avenue, Oshuntokun, Old and new Bodija, Sango, Mokola all have been affected as buildings had their roofs either blown off or damaged.
A lady who was sighted visibly disturbed said her mother who stays on Adeyi Avenue with her sister and her son were all trapped under their house as part of the impacts of the explosions.
While all officials were being careful not to preempt official reports of what happened, there were indications that the explosion occurred at a street off Adeyi Avenue with the number of buildings affected in the area.
Residents of areas such as Ojo who spoke with the NPO Reports said they heard the loud explosion with some thick smoke in the air but did not know where it emanated from.
A resident of Sango, Wakil Damola, who spoke with the NPO Reports, said sound of the explosion sent every member of his family of their house as no one knew what it was all about.
Another resident of Favours, Bodija, who said he heard the loud noise, Bamidele Akindiji, said, “At first, I did not even know what it was. I just saw people running here and there while no one knew where in particular they were running to., ” he said
As at 9pm, police vans were seen conveying dead bodies to the hospital. One of the police vans, with the inscription, Bodija Police Patrol carried some bodies in open van while many looked on with sadness.
As at the time of filing this report, security operatives were still at Adeyi Avenue and Deji Oyeleye Street apparently studying what transpired.