On the fateful day of January 16, 2024, a situation of fear and unrest enveloped the residents of Ibadan as they were struck by an explosion that originated from Dejo Oyelese Street situated in the Bodija locality of the city.

Wakadaily learnt that, the incident led to the tragic loss of five lives, while a distressing total of 77 individuals suffered from various levels of injuries stemming from the explosion.

In the wake of this catastrophe, Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, pointed towards the presence of explosive materials stored within an apartment as the root cause of the devastation, raising suspicions of potential involvement of foreign entities.

Subsequently, the Minister of Environment echoed the commitment of the federal government towards reassessing the existing protocols pertaining to the storage of explosives, with a primary objective of ensuring strict adherence to the highest safety standards.

Furthermore, it was disclosed that an entity operating under the Ministry of Environment is mandated to set forth minimum safety requirements for the storage of explosives deployed for commercial purposes.

Emphasizing the need for regulatory reforms to keep pace with contemporary demands, the minister accentuated efforts aimed at revising regulations to reflect current realities, with a primary focus on formulating comprehensive guidelines that accentuate safety measures and mitigate the risks of accidents.

Adding to this discourse, the minister sternly addressed the issue of unauthorized storage of explosives within residential vicinities, underscoring the severe threats posed to the general public by such illicit practices.

He expressed confidence in the ongoing investigative processes led by the Oyo State government and the Ministry of Minerals Development, voicing optimism about the eventual apprehension and prosecution of those found accountable for the unfortunate incident.