The Ministry of Solid Minerals, under the Federal Government’s directive, is waiting for the findings of a forensic investigation into the recent Ibadan explosion.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement signed by Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the Ministry is waiting for the outcome of the forensic investigation ordered to ascertain the actual cause of the tragic explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State capital last week.
The statement revealed that President Bola Tinubu, in collaboration with Minister of Solid Minerals Dr Dele Alake, expressed condolences and initiated a comprehensive inter-ministerial committee to address national resource security challenges.
Dr Alake, actively coordinating with security agencies, assures the public of the government’s commitment to addressing root challenges and awaits the outcome of the investigation before making definitive statements.
The inter-ministerial committee is diligently working to provide a robust report to the President, emphasising the importance of allowing security agencies to conduct thorough investigations.
The statement reads in part:
“The Ministry also deployed Mine Inspectorate officers to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies to unravel the cause of the explosion.
“The Federal Government is now waiting for the outcome of forensic investigations that will determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of lives and properties.
“Alongside the press statement personally signed by Dr Alake to convey his deepest sympathies to the people of Oyo State, he has also been at the forefront of working with the security agencies to unearth the cause and put mechanisms in place to avert a recurrence.
“Last week Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting, President Bola Tinubu took a step to holistically address insecurity around our nation’s natural resources by constituting an inter-ministerial committee led by Dr Alake to come up with a blueprint to effectively and efficiently secure solid minerals, forests, and marine economy, which constitutes Nigeria’s natural resources.
“The committee held a maiden meeting last Friday and has been working round the clock to draw up strategies for achieving the presidential mandate. In the coming days, there will be an expanded meeting with heads of security agencies, which will assist the committee in getting the requisite inputs to guide it in turning in a robust report to the President.
“The Minister assures Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to addressing challenges from the root, hence its resolve to await the outcome of painstaking forensic investigations on the Ibadan explosion before making a definite pronouncement.
“The honourable Minister believes that in sensitive situations like this, the security agencies should be allowed to do their job, as against acting on speculations. That way, the people are better informed, culprits can be brought to book, and concerted efforts can be put in place to avoid a recurrence.”
