The Ondo Police Command has revealed that the explosion that took place in Akure in the early hours of Saturday was caused by a truck loaded with dynamite.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that the incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday along Akure-Owo expressway, a few kilometers from the Akure metropolis, destroying a school, church and some houses.
Speaking to reporters in Akure on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said that the truck was carrying dynamite for a quarry company.
Adie added that the truck was duly escorted by personnel of the police Explosive Ordinance (EOD), but the vehicle developed a fault and exploded on the road.
He said: “The truck was coming from Lagos State to Edo State; unfortunately along the road, their vehicle developed a fault and the driver noticed it.
”In fact from the explanation of the escort commander, they had to try to move it away from where there were houses.
“When they parked and came out and noticed there was smoke coming out from the engine, the driver’s effort to put it off was not possible and fire broke out,” he said.
The commissioner said the police escort had to deploy the standard professional drill in handling the incident.
”We thank God that this area houses a church and school; fortunately the school, because of the closure, had no student.
“But we have commenced investigation and I have called the managing director of the company who was to receive the consignment,” he said.
Adie admonished residents of the area to stay far away from the scene of the incident to avoid unnecessary accidents.
He said that personnel of the EOD in the command had been on the ground since the incident occurred to cordon the area.
