The multiple explosion which occurred about two kilometres to Akure Airport in the wee-hours of Saturday was triggered by a fire which ignited a vehicle transporting ordinances to a neigbouring state, Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said during a visit.
He said after several attempts to extinguish the fire, the vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion that was felt in Akure and its environs.
Persecondnews recalls that the blasts which occurred at 1.00 am reverberated across the state capital causing panic.
Scores of buildings including church, schools were damaged while the vehicle carrying the ordinances with the passengers was completely buried on the Akure-Owo-Benin Highway.
Craters were also created on the road following the explosion thereby impeding a free flow of traffic.
“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.
“The vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion,’’ the governor told reporters.
Akeredolu also said efforts were being made to ascertain if there were casualties.
He also directed that the area be cordoned off to allow the Police Explosive Ordinance Department/Bomb Squad to extricate the vehicle buried in the ground following the explosions.
“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, ‘’ Akeredolu said.
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