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Updated: Illegal mining caused Ibadan explosion, two dead, 77 injured – Gov Makinde

Published

3 months ago

January 17, 2024

Illegal mining caused Ibadan explosion, two dead, 77 injured – Gov Makinde

Two people were killed and 77 people injured in an explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the state governor, has disclosed.

The incident happened on Dejo Oyeleye Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan, instantly spreading panic to other parts of the city.

Makinde, who spoke to journalists in Ibadan, said the explosion was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in one of the buildings in the Bodija area.

The governor said, “We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan.

“This unfortunate incident resulted in the death and injury to residents in the vicinity and affected properties. We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations.”

Some of the affected areas are the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.

There were fears that some persons were still trapped under the rubble as of 10pm on Tuesday.

But a report by The Punch quoted a social worker at the UCH, as saying that the hospital had received no fewer than 15 victims.

“The victims will not be less than 15,” he said.

Glass windows, doors and ceilings were shattered in the affected areas.

The report also indicated that major roads were deserted while residents were forced indoors by security operatives, including the police, Western Security Network, code-named Amotekun, and local vigilantes, who took over the affected areas.

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Security vehicles were sighted conveying the victims to some selected hospitals in the state capital for medical attention.

At least three buildings reportedly collapsed as a result of the explosion.

There are videos seen online showing some of the places affected by the explosion, with an accompanying male voice calling for help.

“Please, we need help here. These are the people. We need help. Police, Army, and everybody else should come and rescue people here,” the male voice pleaded.

A lady was seen in one of the videos being circulated saying the apartment her mother lived in collapsed as a result of the impact of the explosion.

The lady said, “My mum stays in Adeyi with my sister and my son. They are badly injured. The house collapsed on them. They are stitching their legs and arms. They are in the hospital beside Ace Mall.”

In a statement, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said, “There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and is in full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.

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“All security service chiefs, including paramilitary chiefs and fire service operatives, have been deployed by the governor to reign in the spillover from the explosion.

“The Governor, Seyi Makinde, therefore, implores citizens to calm down and rest assured that their interests are being looked after.”.

The police spokesman in the state, Adewale Oyefeso, said, “The Commissioner of Police Oyo State Command, in the company with some senior officers and other responders, is on the ground for on-the-spot assessment and rescue operation.

“The Oyo State Police Command has also deployed armed and plainclothes officers to forestall any breakdown of law and order.”

Illegal mining caused Ibadan explosion, two dead, 77 injured – Gov Makinde

Related Topics:Explosion Featured Ibadan

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BREAKING: Panic as explosion rocks Ibadan

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How I formed kidnap gang while in prison – kidnapper

Published

1 hour ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Gift Ogbo

How I formed kidnap gang while in prison – kidnapper

One Gift Ogbo, a suspected kidnapper, has disclosed that his kidnap gang was formed during his eleven years in Nigeria’s prison.

Ogbo, 39, who hails from Ndele, Emohua Local Government Area of the State, was arrested by the police in Rivers state during a botched kidnap operation.

He is currently in a hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the kidnap operation on March 29, 2024.

Ogbo said he had never acquired a formal education since birth, adding that from a very tender age he always roamed his village during school hours looking for what to steal

According to Vanguard, Ogbo led three members of his gang on a kidnap mission, in their operational tricycle, on Nkpolu road.

They reportedly intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz ML 350 4matic , parked on the road, with two occupants in the driver and passenger seats.

The driver of the Mercedes was said to have hit a wall while attempting to reverse and escape.

He reportedly drove menacingly towards two suspected members of the gang that stood in front of the car and ran over them.

After seeing that Ogbo and another member of the gang identified simply as Oyi-Baba have been run over by the driver and rendered incapacitated by the incident, their colleagues abandoned them and fled the scene.

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A mob was said to have pounced on them and was at the brink of setting them ablaze when a Rapid Response Team that was contacted arrived the scene.

While Oyi-Baba reportedly died in the hospital, Ogbo , is still undergoing treatment, according to Police sources.

From the hospital bed, Ogbo, said, “ In 2012, I attacked one of my uncles during an argument over a parcel of land and he died in the process.

I was arrested and charged for murder. While serving my 11 years hail term, I made friends with some inmates.

“Upon my release in December 2023, I returned to Ndele and rallied two old friends, Gift Kpanuku, aka Oyi-Baba and one Sunny, aka Onye-meme.

”We teamed up with two released members of the gang I formed in prison: Isaac and Ugo and immediately devised a plan to start a kidnap-for-ransom gang.

“ We stole from residents of Ndele to raise money for arms. We raised 370,000 and used it to purchase two locally made shot guns in Akwa-Ibom from Smart, a gunrunner I also met in prison.

“ We went on the first mission on March 13, 2024, at about 8.45 p.m. We snatched a red Mazda 323 from a local taxi driver to use as operational vehicle. On that same evening, we met a man and his wife who parked their car in front of a doctor’s office at Nkpolu. We ordered them out of their Volkswagen Touareg, pushed them into the back seat of the car and drove off with them, abandoning the stolen Mazda.

“ But on the way to our hideout, there was traffic .While contemplating an alternative route, the woman jumped out of the car. In anger, I shot her husband in both thighs, and we sped off.

We took him to a compound in Eleme, took his gold chain, gold wristwatch , his phone and wife’s phone which she left . We used his ATM card to withdraw N530, 000, via

How I formed kidnap gang while in prison – kidnapper

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Landmines kill 5 JTF members, others wounded on Borno highway

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Landmines kill 5 JTF members, others wounded on Borno highway

At least five civilian JTF members have been killed and unspecified others sustained varying degrees of injury when they stepped on landmines along the Maiduguri/Gomboru Ngala highway in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, sources said.

It was learnt that the incident occurred around Gajibo village about 12:30pm on Saturday.

According to a security source who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, no fewer than five persons lost their lives when they stepped on landmines planted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

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“There were devastating landmines this afternoon around Gajibo community in Dikwa Local Government Area, killing at least five CJTF members and others seriously injured,” the security source said.

A top CJTF commander in Maiduguri confirmed the attacked to our correspondent, adding they were on patrol when they mistakenly stepped on explosives near Gajibo village on Saturday afternoon.

He said they lost some members, but the details were not yet available at press time.

The Nigerian Army is yet to issue any statement on the incident.

Landmines kill 5 JTF members, others wounded on Borno highway

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Why I broke down in tears – Saudi Arabia maid impregnated by boss narrates ordeal

Published

4 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Faith Wambui

Why I broke down in tears – Saudi Arabia maid impregnated by boss narrates ordeal

A Kenyan lady, Faith Wambui, who worked as a maid in Saudi Arabia, has come forward to share her traumatic ordeal of being impregnated by her Saudi Arabian boss.

Speaking exclusively to Tuko, the lady revealed the agonizing challenges she faced, including deprivation of food, sleep, and exploitation.

According to the lady, she embarked on a journey to Saudi Arabia with the assistance of her elder sister.

However, what awaited her there was far from the envisioned prospects. From the outset, she faced hostility from her employer, who harbored a deep-seated dislike towards her.

The lady recounted distressing instances where she endured days without adequate food and sufficient rest.

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Despite the unbearable conditions, she found herself trapped between the harsh reality of her situation and the pressing needs of her family back home, compelling her to endure the hardships imposed upon her.

“He won’t give me enough food. Sometimes, I would go for three days without eating. I also did not used to get enough sleep. I really wanted to quit, but when I remembered the problems back home, I decided to endure the hardships in the house,” she said in a part

Adding to her torment, the lady revealed the treacherous actions of her boss’s brother, who cunningly manipulated her vulnerabilities.

He resorted to deceitful tactics, including hiding food from her and exploiting her desperation by offering monetary assistance.

“He would bring me some rice and soda. Sometimes, he would give me money, which I would later ask him to send to my family as my first three-month salary was going to my agent.” she added.

The lady sadly revealed that she was forced to have an affair with him, which led to her becoming pregnant.