TheCable

The federal executive council (FEC) has set up a committee to review the existing laws that control explosives in the country.

The decision by FEC came after an explosion rocked Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on Tuesday night.

The explosion occurred at Adeyi avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

Seyi Makinde, governor of the state, said the explosion was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in one of the buildings in the Bodija area.

Speaking with reporters after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion.

“In today’s deliberation, the explosion in Ibadan was raised and the government sympathised with the victims and the very good people of Oyo state,” Badaru said.

“An investigation is ongoing to find out the real cause of the blast and to see how best we can prevent it happening in the future.

“After that, the issues of environmental protection as well as mining, areas protection and forest protection were discussed and a committee was set up by Mr. President.

“That includes all the security agencies, the minister of environment, ministry of solid minerals to look into all these issues, and see how we can provide lasting solutions to stop the issues that centre around environmental degradation both in our forests and the mining sites.

“And also the rampant illegal mining and the control of earthing in the mining sector.”

The minister said necessary actions would be taken if it is found that the laws governing the control of explosives were broken.