The Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Dele Alake, has directed mine officers of the ministry to investigate Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, to unravel the cause.

Alake gave the directive on Wednesday in Abuja.

“I have directed the ministry’s mine officers who are already on site in Ibadan to join ongoing investigations to find out the immediate and remote causes of the explosion. We have ordered a detailed investigation and our officers will work and collaborate with the Oyo State government to know the actual cause.

“If the explosion was caused by mining explosives devices as earlier reported, the ministry will double its efforts to tighten the noose around those acquiring explosives and storing them illegally,” he said.

The minister’s directives followed reports that the explosion was allegedly traceable to the denotation of explosive devices stored by illegal miners.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, announced that three people were reported dead and 77 injured in the blast.

Also 58 buildings were reportedly damaged by the explosion.

The minister commiserated with Makinde and the people of Oyo State over the incident.

He commended the governor for the quick mobilisation of emergency response, urging residents to be safety conscious and report persons or organisations endangering public health and security.

(NAN)