In a gripping narrative, a survivor of the recent Ibadan explosion, Abiola Abdulsalam, recounted his dramatic escape from the deadly incident.
Abdulsalam spoke from his hospital bed at the University College Hospital.
He shared the terrifying moments leading up to his life-saving leap from a storey building on Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Ibadan. That was where the explosion occurred last Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
Abdulsalam, who is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident, described the situation as a matter of life and death.
Survival
The explosion caused significant damage and panic in the area.
Abdulsalam was left with no other option but to jump from the building in a desperate bid to survive.
Recounting his experience, he said: “If I can recollect, I was inside Harrington Hotel around the area where the explosion occurred.
So, immediately I heard the bang, I had to jump from the first floor of the building where I was with my friends.
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“After I had landed on the ground while still conscious, I tried to stand up and walk but I couldn’t, and it was then I noticed I had a fracture on one of my legs.
“While alone in that state for about three minutes, my friends who had escaped through the staircase, which I couldn’t easily locate because of panic caused by the explosion, searched around and found me still conscious, and swiftly brought me to this ward”.
The Explosion
The explosion which rocked the state on Tuesday claimed many lives and left families in tears.
It was on Thursday, that the Oyo state government confirmed that the death tally from the explosion has risen to five.
The explosion caused damage to numerous houses within a 14-kilometer radius.
Seyi Makinde, while speaking on the casualities of the explosion, had disclosed the death toll to be three.
However, giving an update, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters Fatai Owoseni, disclosed that two more bodies have been recovere.
“Rescue operation is still ongoing. As of yesterday, we had three casualties but this morning, just about 30 minutes ago, I got information from the security operatives supporting the medical team that two more dead bodies were recovered this morning,” he said.
Illegal Minning
The cause of the deadly explosion was traced to illegal mining in the area.
According to the Governor, the explosion was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in a building in the Bodija area.
Despite this, Governor Makinde emphasized that the state government would not ban mining activities.
He assured residents that his administration is effectively managing the situation, with support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
