The Governor of Ondo State Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has revealed what led to the explosion that rocked the city of Akure in the early hours of today.
Residents of the area had heard a loud bang and over a hundred buildings had been razed following the explosion which occurred at around 1 a.m.
Responding to the incident, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that he had been briefed by security and efforts were being made to find out if there were casualties.
He explained that the explosion occurred when a convoy carrying explosives to a storage facility in a nearby state had developed a fault while in transit along the Akure Owo Road (about 2km from the Akure Airport).
He wrote:
“Security personnel and other individuals transporting the ordinances noticed smoke from the vehicle. After several attempts to extinguish the resulting fire failed, the vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion that was felt in Akure and its environs.
“Presently, efforts are being made to ascertain if there are casualties. Following my visit to the scene, I have directed that the area be cordoned off to allow the explosive ordinance department/bomb squad to extricate the vehicle buried underground because.
“It is unclear if there are still explosives that are yet to be detonated. Everything is under control and I will be updating the public on any new developments.
“We understand that this is taking place in the midst of a global crisis. We ask that everyone continues to stay calm, stay safe and continue to #TakeResponsibility in this #COVID19Nigeria fight.”
I have been briefed by the security chiefs that in the early hours of Saturday March 28th, a vehicle in a convoy transporting explosives to a storage facility in a neighbouring state developed a fault while in transit along the Akure Owo Road about 2km from the Akure Airport. pic.twitter.com/3EnmmQBd1E
— Arakunrin Akeredolu (@RotimiAkeredolu) March 28, 2020
