• Gbolarunmi, Shittu, Others Call For Investigation
• PFN President Visits Site, Condoles Govt, Victims

The Operations Manager of BON Hotel Nest, Ibadan located a few metres from the scene of the blast, Tunde Solomon, has reportedly died of a heart attack.

Solomon was said to have suffered a heart attack during the blast that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Close, Bodija Housing Estate. No fewer than five persons lost their lives as a result of the incident, while several others suffered injuries. Property  worth millions of naira were destroyed, while hundreds of people have been displaced.

The management of the hotel, in a statement in Ibadan, described the deceased “as selfless and dedicated. It added that the deceased used his 25 years in the industry for the growth of the organisation.

”We regret to inform you of the sudden passing of our beloved Operations Manager, Mr.Tunde Solomon. Solomon suffered a heart attack on January 17, 2024 and it is believed that was  a consequence of the explosion which occurred on January 16, 2024 at Bodija.

”Solomon was a vastly experienced member of staff with more than 25 years in the industry. His commitment to his role and his contributions to the growth of BON Hotel Nest, Ibadan and the BON group in general during his tenure were invaluable.

”His loss leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through this challenging period,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in Oyo State, yesterday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  Governor Seyi Makinde and other relevant agencies of government to ensure that details and necessary investigations are carried out on the explosion.

Many insinuations have been raised over the possible cause of the explosion, including the allegation that one Youssouf Sawane,  a Malian, was the owner of the explosives.

Expressing grief, yesterday, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and erstwhile Deputy Governor of Oyo State,  Hazeem Gbolarunmi, called on President Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, to ensure that proper investigation is carried out over the matter and those found culpable be brought to book.

Also, the  governorship candidate  of Labour Party ( LP) in Oyo 2023 election, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale and South West leader of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, also appealed to relevant authorities and Governor Makinde to ensure that necessary steps are taken to unravel anywhere such explosives devices might still be stored across Oyo State and beyond. Shittu described the explosion as “unfortunate and something that ought not to have happened in the first instance.”

He said it became more worrisome and embarrassing when it was linked to a foreigner, who allegedly  stockpiled explosives in residential areas. He tasked the Department of State Service (DSS) and the police to unravel the mystery behind the accident and bring those involved to face the law. He said under no circumstances should the investigation be swept under the carpet, “Nigerians demand to know the truth.”

Also, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has lamented the devastating impacts of the explosion. Oke, who paid a visit to Adeyi Street, Bodija, Ibadan, where the tragedy occurred, in statement, yesterday, expressed grief over the level of devastation that claimed some lives and property.

On ground to receive the PFN President were the Chairman, Oyo State COVID-19 Taskforce, Prof. Temitope Alonge,; Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni; and a Director of the Federal Road Safety Commission coordinating the recovery efforts.

The clergyman, who is the Presiding Bishop of Sword of The Spirit Ministries, described the incident as extremely sad and grievous, praying that God may heal the wounds of the affected residents and give the state government the wisdom, courage and resources to address the situation.

He was accompanied by the Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church Worldwide, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun; and many other PFN members. Oke said: “ In all things, it is just and good to give thanks to God.”

He stressed that in good times and bad times, all humans must acknowledge the mightiness of the creator. He expressed reservations on the decision of the mining company to store explosives at residential area, saying that the accident that happened could have been averted if greater value was accorded to human lives.

The PFN President would want the security agencies to keep track of activities of the miners and borehole as well as well diggers in the state in a bid to avert a recurrence. He said he would also want thorough investigation to be carried out to unearth more facts about the incident.

The Bishop called on the Federal Government to “be more decisive in dealing with the horrible level of corruption that has pervaded every strata of the Nigerian society which has allowed this and several horrible disasters currently afflicting our society, resulting in the death of several innocent citizens.”

While appealing to the state and federal government to rise to the occasion by giving necessary support to the affected families and businesses in the area, he also advised that full safety protocols should be deployed in order to mitigate both the immediate and remote impacts of the explosion on human lives and the environment.

Assuring the affected people, the government and the residents of the state of continued prayers by the PFN and other Christian bodies in the country, he advised the residents’ association and the security agencies to keep track of those living in their midst.

Bishop Oke led a prayers for the families of the dead victims, the officials of the state handling the recovery efforts, the state Governor and President Tinubu.

He, thereafter, paid a visit to the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Senator Iyiola Oladokun, whose residence is a stone throw to the scene of the incident before his departure.

The leading man of God in the land commended the emergency responders at the scene for their life saving efforts in putting the situation under control.