A devastating gas explosion late Friday night in the Bioku-Alaadun area of Ona Ara Local Government, Ibadan (Oyo State), has claimed the lives of three people, according to the Oyo State Fire Service.
The General Manager of the Fire Service, Mr. Akinyinka Akinyemi, told Channels Television that while there were unconfirmed reports of more casualties, only three deaths have been officially confirmed.
He stated, “contrary to the claim by some that several people lost their lives, three lives were lost, including the shop owner and those dispensing the gas.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred while a tanker was offloading gas into a retail outlet.
Emergency teams were quickly dispatched to contain the situation. Akinyemi added that operations to control the fire and evacuate those affected have since succeeded, and normalcy has largely been restored to the area.
