Residents in the southwestern state of Oyo’s densely populated Ibadan city heard a loud blast at about 7:45 p.m., causing panic as many fled their homes. By Wednesday morning, security forces cordoned off the area while medical personnel and ambulances were on standby as rescue efforts intensified. Preliminary investigations showed the blast was caused by explosives stored for use in illegal mining operations, Oyo Gov. Seyi Makinde told reporters after visiting the site in the Bodija area of Ibadan. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesIt was not immediately clear who stored the explosives, and no arrest has been announced.

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Persons: Seyi Makinde, ” Makinde, Saheed Akiode, Makinde, Anthony Adejuwon, ” Adejuwon Organizations: Emergency Management Agency, Associated Press, ”, Urban Alert Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo, Bodija, “, trooped