Segun Atanda/
Several students of All Souls’ High School, Ibadan, narrowly escaped death in the bomb explosion that rocked the city yesterday night.
Newsmakerslive.org gathered that major sections of the building housing the students’ hostel, located on Dejo Oyelese Close, Bodija, collapsed from the impact of the explosion.
An unconfirmed number of students were injured and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
A staff of the school, who asked not to be identified, told Newsmakerslive.org that there was no casualty among the students.
The school is privately-run by the All Souls’ Anglican Church, Ibadan.
When Newsmakerslive.org visited the site of the explosion today, some of the residents were seen trying to salvage whatever valuables they could from their partially damaged houses.
One of them, who identified herself simply as Esther, narrated how she was saved from possible death by her decision to attend a bible study programme conducted by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the University of Ibadan, yesterday evening.
According to her, she was at the programme when the explosion happened, only for her to return to meet her home almost completely destroyed.
Meanwhile, the state government has moved displaced victims of the explosion to Calton Gate and Palms 77 hotels located in the Agodi area of Ibadan.
Governor Seyi Makinde visited the hotels and the scene of the explosion this afternoon, just as the government has set up an Emergency Situation Hub to collate and coordinate management of victims.
A statement today by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said anyone who is affected can go to the premises of the Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.
The commissioner, who said the situation hub is headed by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, also advised victims to submit verifiable evidences of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government intervention.
The statement said that temporary accommodation has been organised by the government for those displaced as a result of the explosion, while the state government will also finance the hospital bills of those injured.
The commissioner confirmed that several victims have started registering at the hub, and are being put through by emergency and disaster experts.
Oyelade disclosed that as a result of new evidences, government is interrogating certain leads that suggest storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the area.
During an earlier visit to the scene last night, Makinde implored residents of Oyo State to be more sensitive to activities in their environment.
“If you see something, say something”, the governor emphasised.
The commissioner said the explosion affected some structures of ministries, departments and agencies at the state secretariat.
He added the impact of the explosion was felt about 15km apart.
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