The Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement in SouthWest, Moremi Ojudu, has expressed sadness over the explosion recorded in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Tuesday.
Ojudu, according to a statement on Friday, commiserated with families of the victims during a visit to the scene.
Recall that on Tuesday night, panic gripped Ibadan residents over an explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of the city.
The presidential aide condemned the storage of explosives meant for mining in residential areas, saying the devastating effect on the state and victims of the explosion remains worrisome.
She promised to provide support for those affected by the incident.
Ojudu, while meeting with the Deputy Governor of the state, Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal; the Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo; and other top government functionaries at the Agodi secretariat on a condolence visit, also lauded the governor for visiting the explosion site and acting swiftly to investigate the cause.
She said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that has claimed several lives and caused significant destruction in Oyo State. On behalf of the President and the entire South-West Community Engagement team, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Oyo State during this time of immense sorrow and loss.
“We strongly condemn the storage of explosives meant for mining in residential areas. The consequences of such negligence have been devastating, resulting in the loss of precious lives and widespread damage to property.”
She added that she will be collaborating with relevant agencies to provide support for those affected by the incident and as part of an effort to mitigate the impact of the unfortunate event.
“As the President’s Special Assistant on Community Engagement (South West), I will be working closely with relevant authorities to offer support and assistance to the affected communities. It is crucial that we unite and extend a helping hand to those in need, and that we strive to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.
“We stand with Oyo State in mourning this terrible loss, and we remain committed to providing any aid necessary to mitigate the impact of this unfortunate event,” she said.
While offering prayers to affected families, she reminded residents of the state of the dangers posed by improper handling and storage of hazardous materials.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones and those who have been affected by this tragic incident. We stand in solidarity with the people of Oyo state as they navigate this period of grief and begin the process of recovery,” she expressed.
The government had reported that the death toll resulting from the Tuesday explosion in Ibadan, the state capital, has increased to five (https://punchng.com/ibadan-explosion-death-toll-rises-to-five/?amp)
The explosion caused extensive damage to numerous houses within a 14-kilometre radius.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, while speaking on Channels Television on Thursday said that the state government continues to monitor and respond to the situation as investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.
