- The new facts of the incident reveal the identity of the person behind the explosion
As dust raised by the explosion that rocked the ancient city of Ibadan begins to settle, literally and figuratively, and public discourse continues to swirl around the incident, fresh facts have emerged about the unfortunate tragedy.
The new facts of the incident reveals the identity of the person behind the explosion.
Residents close to the site of the explosion are pointing accusing fingers at a Malian national, who is said to be involved in illegal mining activities in some parts of Oyo State.
The residents of the street where the incident occurred revealed that the Malian was the one residing in the building where the incident occurred.
It will be recalled that the explosion occurred at Dejo Oyelese Close, Bodija Housing Estate in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The Malian has been living in the house for some years, DAILY POST quoted an octogenarian in the area as saying.
The octogenarian said everyone in the area knew the Malian was into illegal mining, adding that the man hurriedly left the building with his family when he realized catastrophe was imminent.
“He is from Mali. But I don’t know that he was keeping such explosives in the house. We know him to be a Malian. Everyone knows that he is doing illegal mining.
“He and his family members left before the incident. He saw that the thing was in flames, so he took his children and wife out and ran away. Even some people who were aware of the flames left immediately.
“He is doing business in the Oke Ogun area. Only those who were not aware were affected. The man and his family members will still be in Ibadan here. They have their people in Ibadan,” he said.
Other residents also corroborated the claim of the octogenarian about the illegal and nefarious activities of the Malians.
One of the residents of the area, who has been living in the area for over two decades, noted that many people in the area don’t want to speak up because of fear of attacks.
He said most of the properties in the area have been bought by Malians, adding the explosion was due to the complacency and indifference of locals.
The man said “People will not want to talk. What will they say? What the first person told you is not far from the truth.
“Go and check all the places I have mentioned. If you enter from Obasa, only a few houses are occupied by Nigerians.
“Majority of the houses there are being occupied by Malians. Malians have bought the majority of the houses there. Go and check it out. It is because of our complacency,” he lamented.
Another resident disclosed that the Malian left his earlier abode after a petition by residents.
“The man is into illegal mining activities. He has been living in the house for over one year. I was not at home when the incident occurred, but when I came home from work, I went there to see the building.
“Three houses completely collapsed.
“We saw some documents. There was a petition against him by fellow tenants in his former residence.
“It forced him to leave the place and come here. He brought all the documents here. All the documents were blown away by the explosion. That was how we got them,” he added