FG awaiting forensic report on Ibadan blast – Minister

Dele Alake, minister for steel and mineral resources, has said that the Federal Government would speak categorically on the blast that killed some people and ruined several properties in the highbrow Bodija Estate in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Some yet-to-be revealed foreigners, believed to be involved in illegal mining, had stored dynamites in their apartments. The dynamites went off, leading to the large-scale destruction seen in the estate.

Alake, during a visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, said that the government was waiting for the conclusion of a forensic investigation before making a statement.

He said, “There are lots of connivance among the strata of the society —- both high, medium and low classes of the society —- in the nation’s mining sector.

“But the Federal Government is working together with the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, who have efficient knowledge of the local terrain to address the issue.

He also alleged that illegal mining had fuelled the growing banditry and terrorism in the country.

He said: “There are lots of connivance among the strata of the society —- both high, medium and low classes of the society —- in the nation’s mining sector.

“But the Federal Government is working together with the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, who have efficient knowledge of the local terrain to address the issue.

“Illegal mining is not exclusive to the high class alone, but cuts across the strata of our society. So, we are employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies and tactics to address the menace.

“It would be presumptuous for the Federal Government to take any solid pronouncement or categorical announcement now.

“We will examine all the forensic analysis reports, and all the investigations from all the agencies and various intelligence arms of the security agencies.

“They are all working round the clock to provide an authentic and viable forensic report to the Federal Government.

“When the reports are ready, the Federal Government will be on a solid platform to make an informed judgment and a categorical statement.

“The final forensic report will also help the Federal Government in taking appropriate decisions concerning the victims of this ugly incident.

“Anything before then will be presumptuous and can be misleading at the end of the day,” he said.

“We need to be safety-conscious and develop the attitude of reporting atrocious activities in our neighbourhood.

“For example, no one will expect that such deadly explosives could be stored in an elite estate like this without suspicion.”

(NAN)