Three persons were killed on Friday night after a gas explosion rocked the Bioku-Alaadun area of Ibadan, in the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident occurred while a gas tanker was discharging product into a retail outlet, causing a sudden blast that claimed the lives of the gas shop owner and two others nearby.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Yemi Akinyinka, said operatives were already on the ground working to contain the situation, adding that full casualty details were still being compiled.
In response to the tragedy, the Executive Chairman of Ona Ara Local Government, Dr. Temitope Kolapo Glorious, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. The Chairman, who expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, was accompanied by security operatives as he assessed the damage and coordinated emergency response efforts.
According to a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Rahmon Alawode, Dr. Glorious immediately contacted the Oyo State Fire Service and other emergency agencies to ensure swift intervention. He also stayed at the scene until the families of the deceased arrived to evacuate the bodies.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, the Chairman extended condolences to the bereaved families and reaffirmed the council’s support during their moment of grief. He further disclosed that relevant agencies had been contacted to investigate the cause of the explosion and enforce stricter safety measures, especially in areas dealing with flammable materials.
Dr. Glorious urged residents to prioritize safety when handling combustible products and prayed for the repose of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
