The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has directed investigations into the explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of over 60 houses, describing it as as a sad and tragic occurrence.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake, disclosed this in a statement, expressed his condolences and sympathies to the victims and their families.

Alake said: “I offer my condolences over lost lives on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to Governor Seyi Makinde and the good people of Oyo State.

“I also extend my sympathy to the wounded and other victims who suffered one loss or the other, especially residents whose houses were destroyed. I pray to the Almighty God to comfort the family of the deceased and grant succour to those who lost valuables as they begin to rebuild.

“Oyo state government and emergency response agencies of both the state and federal governments have promised to help as much as possible. In the interim, 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 effort to tighten the noose around those acquiring explosives and storing them illegally.”

He commended Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state for the rapid mobilization of emergency response, including the deployment of fire service, police and security agencies.

He urges members to always be safety conscious and report persons or organizations endangering public health and security.