Ibadan Explosion: Alleged Suspect On the Run as Investigations goes Cold

The Ibadan Explosion that reportedly took 2 lives and 77 injured on an ill-fated Tuesday of January 16 2023, is growing cold as alleged suspects are yet to be apprehended.

Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde promised the people of Pacesetter to bring to book the culprits with links to the catastrophic bomb blast that echoes deep into neighbouring communities across Akobo, UCH, Eleyele, Mokola, Sango, Isokan, Bodija, Oke-Itunu environs.

Following the devastating effect of the blast radius, 3 other victims were reportedly dead, increasing the fatality rate to 5, with over 50 houses and 10 cars damaged. The explosion impacts a 15km radius from the blast site, creating a crater that is 15 feet deep and 20 feet wide.

However, the Oyo State House of Assembly reveals the alleged suspect to be one Sawane Youssouf, known popularly as Mali, though his nationality is yet to be confirmed by the Oyo State government as a Senegalese or not, yet he’s also the President of the Oyo State Chapter of ECOWAS Members Nigeria’s Miner Association.

Sawane owns a company called SDYB International Company Nigeria Limited, registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission to engage in mining in the state, with an office located in Akintoba, Ibadan.

The governor, however, stated on Tuesday that the perpetrators of the blast were caused by an illegal miner in Oyo state. Could this be that they came into the state without visas or documented papers? It remains a question.

While families are still gathering their sense of recovery, the governor has provided housing services to the victims of the blast who are rendered homeless.

Law enforcement has been on the suspects’ tails, assuring the public and the government to bring the suspect to book.

About The Author

Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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