Ibadan residents panic as explosion destroys houses, kills many. By Deolu Adigun

Panic grips residents of Ibadan as a mysterious explosion destroys houses, kills many last night in Old Bodija, off Adeyi area, leaving several houses destroyed and unspecified number of persons dead.

The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report but a source from Bodija told Ebony Herald on Phone that it is likely to be a car bomb, it occurred near a popular hotel and night club in the area

The elderly man told Ebony Herald that several persons are still trapped under rubbles in some of the houses destroyed while both injured and dead bodies have been taken to major hospitals in the city.

Security operatives comprising the military and the police anti-bomb units have been deployed to the affected areas while search and rescue operations continue over the night

Meanwhile, Government of Oyo State has called on residents to remain calm saying the situation is under control

A statement from the State Commissioner For Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade reads: “Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.”

“There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in the full control of the unfortunate occurrence in in order to mitigate the incident.”

“All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the governor to Reign in the spillover from the explosion.”

“His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, therefore, implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after