Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said a vehicle conveying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to a neighbouring state caused the blast that rocked Akure, the state capital.

Flavision gathered that the blast which took place in the early hours of Saturday tore the Akure-Owo Road into two and destroyed more than fifty (50) houses.

Governor Akeredolu, while conducting an inspection of the explosion site on Saturday, March 28th, 2020, said he had been briefed by security chiefs.

He told reporters that the vehicle was in a convoy going to a storage facility in a nearby state, when it developed mechanical issue along the Akure-Owo Road, about 2km to the Akure Airport.

He said the blast, which damaged more than fifty (50) houses, occurred while the owners were trying to repair the vehicle.

He disclosed that the state government would begin work on building an alternative route for commuters, considering how vital the split Akure-Owo roadm is.

He said,

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.

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.

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.

I have instructed the State Ministry for Works to commence the rehabilitation of the alternate route, a rural road through Iluabo, due to the importance of the Akure-Owo Road. We will also engage the Federal Government on how to fast track the repair of the damaged portion.

Everything is under control and I will be updating the public on any new developments.

He admonished the general public and motorists to stay away from the spot where the blast occurred, warning them to maintain a reasonable distance, in order to avoid another disaster, in the event of any blast reoccurrence.

Do not also forget that coronavirus is in the country. I thank God that there has not been any recorded case in Ondo State,

he added.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.