Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Nigeria on Tue 16th January 2024

At least two people were killed and 77 injured on Tuesday evening in a massive explosion in the city of Ibadan, in south-western Nigeria, local authorities announced on Wednesday, giving priority to the theory of an accidental explosion. "So far we have 77 injured, most of whom have been treated, and two deaths," said Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, of which Ibadan is the regional capital, in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter). The death toll could rise as rescue operations continue on Wednesday morning, according to Saheed Akiode, southwest zone coordinator at the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema). The explosion, which occurred shortly before 8.00 p.m. in the Bodija district and destroyed around 25 buildings, according to the Nema, triggered panic among residents. According to the governor, initial investigations "revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there, which caused the explosion".