•Residents panic
There was a gas explosion yesterday at Challenge in Ibadan, Oyo State.
It occurred around 3:15pm.
Four men were injured.
They are Oyelami Muftau, Ismail Raji, Paul Sunday and Muili Ahmed.
Three of the victims were admitted at Lad Hospital and the fourth was referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) for intensive care.
The administrator of Lad Hospital, Mr. Lawal Oladimeji, said those in the hospital were responding to treatment.
A Volkswagen Passat Saloon Car, marked PH 381 KJA; a Nissan Saloon car, AL 461 AKN; and a commercial motorcycle, marked GBY 278 QB, were burnt.
Residents of Orita Challenge initially thought the explosion, which occurred a few miles away from a police station, was caused by a bomb planted by the Boko Haram sect.
A bomb disposal van, marked NPF 1745-C, was stationed in the area with a team of policemen from the Police Headquarters.
It was discovered that the explosion was caused by a gas leakage from a gas refilling plant, Hephzibah Petroleum Ltd.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Modupe Ademiluwa, expressed shock over the incident but thanked God that no one died.
Police spokesperson Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor described it as an industrial accident, saying: “At about 3pm today, the police command was alerted of an explosion. When we got there, we discovered it was an accident from a gas refilling plant. A taxi, a Passat vehicle and an Okada were burnt. It was an industrial accident, not that somebody planted a bomb. Oyo State is safe and calm.”
She urged the public to go about their businesses without fear.
