Ibadan Explosion: Miners Disown Company Behind Blast That Killed Residents

The Miners Association of Nigeria disowned the mining company allegedly behind a deadly explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday night, calling for a full investigation into the incident and distancing the broader mining community from what officials described as an act of reckless negligence.

The explosion, which occurred in a residential area of Ibadan, caused widespread panic and left several people dead or injured. Residents reported a massive blast that shook buildings and shattered windows across a wide radius, with emergency responders rushing to the scene to evacuate the wounded and recover victims from rubble.

Speaking to journalists, officials of the Miners Association said the company allegedly responsible for the blast was not operating under any legitimate licence recognised by the association. ‘We dissociate ourselves completely from this company and its activities,’ a senior association official said, calling on the Ministry of Solid Minerals and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against illegal and unsafe mining operations.

Investigation Launched by Oyo Authorities
The Oyo State government launched an immediate investigation into the explosion, directing security agencies and the state’s emergency management agency to work together to determine the cause and hold those responsible to account. Authorities confirmed that explosives were involved, though the precise circumstances under which the blast occurred were still being established at the time of this report.

However, the incident has reignited concerns about the proliferation of illegal mining and unregulated explosives handling in communities across Nigeria. Furthermore, residents near mining and quarrying sites in several states have repeatedly complained about the safety risks posed by explosives that are improperly stored or transported through populated areas. Still, enforcement of mining regulations has been inconsistent, with many operators continuing to work outside the licensing framework.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said it would issue a directive for an immediate audit of all licensed explosives handlers and mining companies in Oyo State and neighbouring areas. Notably, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has attracted increased investor interest under President Tinubu’s administration, making safety regulation even more critical to the sector’s reputation and long-term growth. Consequently, the Ibadan explosion may prompt a broader review of how explosives are regulated and tracked across the country.

Emergency Response Criticised for Slow Arrival
In addition, some Ibadan residents criticised the response time of emergency services, saying that help arrived too slowly after the blast. Civil society groups said the incident exposed the inadequacy of emergency response infrastructure in many Nigerian cities. As a result, state authorities promised to review emergency response protocols and improve coordination between first responders and medical facilities to handle mass casualty incidents more efficiently.