3 killed, 77 injured in blast in Nigeria's largest city

By Timothy Olanrewaju

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – At least three people were killed and 77 injured in an apparent dynamite explosion in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan in Oyo state, a top government official said on Wednesday.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makunde told local media that three bodies were pulled from the rubble of a residential area in Old Bodija, a neighborhood in the city that was shaken late Tuesday night by the blast and subsequent fire.

The governor went to the scene at midnight to assess the situation and calm residents, many of whom had shifted for safety.

Ibadan is the largest city in Nigeria and the capital of Oyo State.

Earlier in a statement, State Commissioner for Information and Orientation Deji Oyeledale described the blast as “uncommon” in the city.

He said the government has dispatched firefighters, security chiefs, and rescue workers to the scene to prevent the raging fire from spreading.

Adewale Osifeso, a police spokesman, said the police had yet to determine the cause of the explosion and the number of casualties.

"The cause of the explosion is unknown, and no casualty could be confirmed as the search continues," Osifeso said in a statement.

However, residents of the area claimed that the explosion was caused by dynamite stored in a building by some illegal miners. According to them, many houses were burned down, and others were damaged.

Lateef Salau, a local resident and government employee, told Anadolu over the phone that rescue workers and volunteers pulled about five bodies from the rubble on Wednesday.

However, eyewitnesses and some rescue workers reported that the number of casualties had risen to 12. However, local authorities have yet to provide information about the increase in the death toll.