In a chat with Vanguard, the National President of MAN, ‘Dele Ayanleke, said the mining company referred to as the organisation that illegally and allegedly stored the
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Ibadan explosion: Police declare owners of building wanted
Ibadan explosion: Police declare owners of building wanted
Landlords Association of Adeyi Street, in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, the epicenter of Tuesday’s explosion, yesterday, disclosed that the register of tenants in the estate showed that the twin duplex was rented by one Mahmoud Camara.
Also, the Oyo State House of Assembly has disclosed the identity of the person behind the explosion that rocked Ibadan as Sawani Yusuf.
This came as the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, declared wanted the two occupants of the epicentre of the explosion.
Also, the casualty figure in the explosion has risen to five.
Three bodies were pulled out of the rubble between Tuesday and Wednesday, while two more were brought out yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday, declared that the mining company allegedly behind the explosion in Ibadan is not their member.
The MAN Board of Trustees, BoT, and National Executive Council, NEC, equally vowed to unravel those behind the Tuesday night explosion.
At about 7.44 pm, on January 16, a loud explosion was heard in different parts of Ibadan leading to panic and confusion.
Okada rider rented a twin duplex in Bodija
Landlord associationAn executive member of the landlord association in the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the register of tenants in the estate showed that the twin duplex was rented by one Mahmoud Camara.
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Vanguard gathered that the person whose name was used to rent the apartment in the highbrow Bodija is a commercial motorcyclist popularly called Okada rider.
He rented houses 8A and 8B in the area.
Mr Bayo Busari, a lawyer, who was featured on a radio programme, said: “That guy, an okada man, who rented the house is used as a decoy if you look at the kind of business he does.”
It was further revealed that three occupants were living in the apartment before the explosion.
Two of them, according to findings, are Malians while the third is a Nigerian.
When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday, it was discovered that some people were still missing.
A woman, Mama Ayo, said she had been calling her sister, who lives in the area but she had not heard anything from her.
At the scene of the explosion, two buildings sank due to the impact of the blast.
Residents flee explosion area
Meanwhile, most residents, who live far from the scene of the blast, have started leaving the area in droves.
Houses of some of those living in the area had minimal damage.
Glasses of their windows and doors are merely shattered while their buildings are still intact.
A woman, who was visibly traumatised, was seen moving her belongings out of a building that is about 500 metres away from the epicentre.
Oyo govt gives update on explosion
While giving the update, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the governor, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said: “Rescue operation is still ongoing. As of yesterday, we had three casualties but this morning (Thursday), I got information from the security operatives supporting the medical team that two more dead bodies were recovered.”
Police declare occupants of exploded building wanted
As a result of the explosion, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebola Hamzat, has declared the two occupants of the epicentre of the explosion.
Giving an update on the explosion, he declared the suspects wanted after going round to assess the extent of damage in the area.
According to him, two men in the affected building have been declared missing.
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The CP, however, did not give the names of the two men or display their pictures.
One of the residents of the area, who preferred anonymity, said two men came into the building on a motorcycle and hurriedly left before the explosion.
Oyo Assembly reveals name of alleged miner behind Ibadan explosion
Similarly, the Oyo State House of Assembly has disclosed that one Sawani Yusuf was responsible for the explosion.
While the nationality of the alleged suspect remains unconfirmed, the Assembly urged security agencies to intensify efforts at bringing all connected to the explosion to book.
Speaking during plenary, Majority Leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin, disclosed the identity of the foreigner whose property allegedly housed the explosive device.
The deliberation followed a motion presented to the House by Adebayo Babajide, representing Ibadan North II.
The lawmakers, in their separate submissions, lamented the explosion just as they called on government and security agencies to expand their investigation net to ensure that no stone was left unturned to address the aftermath of the explosion.
While urging security agencies to embark on intelligence gathering to identify residences of other possible illegal miners and expatriates, the House further appealed to all regulatory agencies to enforce safety precautions, especially in handling and storing explosives (dynamites), among others.
In his remark, the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin said: “We can discuss different angles to how the situation affects us and different solutions as to ensuring that this situation never occurs again but for now let us wait for the outcome of the security investigation to shed more light on the happenings.
“As soon as we have more information I’m sure we’ll be able to deliberate further as to the next action move.
“We also want the Ministry of Environment to look at the state Environmental Laws to see whether or not there are consequences for such actions that have happened and if there are not, then there are lacunas in the laws and we have to take immediate steps towards that.”
Mining company behind blast, not our member —MAN
Meanwhile, the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday, declared that the mining company allegedly behind the explosion in Ibadan on Tuesday night is not their member.
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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
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Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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