TheCable

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals and development, has directed mine officers of the ministry to investigate the explosion that occured in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Alake gave the directive on Wednesday in Abuja.

On Tuesday night, an explosion occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija axis of Ibadan, in which three persons died.

About 77 people were said to be injured in the blast and 58 buildings damaged.

The governor had said the explosion was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in one of the buildings.

The minister commiserated with Makinde and the people of Oyo over the incident.

He said the ministry will double its efforts to clamp down on those storing explosives illegally.

“I have directed the ministry’s mine officers who are already on site in Ibadan to join ongoing investigations to find out the immediate and remote causes of the explosion,” he said.

“We have ordered detailed investigation and our officers will work and collaborate with the  Oyo state government to know the actual cause.

“If the explosion was caused by mining explosives devices as earlier reported, the ministry will double its efforts to tighten the noose around those acquiring explosives and storing them illegally.”

Alake commended Makinde for the rapid mobilisation of emergency response.

He urged residents to be safety conscious and report persons or organisations endangering public health and security.