Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, experienced a state of panic on Tuesday evening when a loud explosion shook the ancient city, causing buildings to collapse due to the powerful vibrations. According to residents who spoke with OBASANJONEWS24, the impact of the blast wave reached houses and cars far from the explosion site. One resident, speaking in a panicked state, reported that there was a loud bang at around 7:30 pm, resulting in shattered windows and the destruction of Ace Mall in Bodija.
The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed, but it has been reported that victims have been rushed to hospitals, while some residents remain trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Emergency responders, including the Fire Service in Oyo State, have been deployed to the scene of the incident, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South-West has also been involved in the response efforts.
The Oyo State Government, through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledged the explosion and assured residents that security agencies are investigating the incident to determine its source and cause.
