There was palpable tension in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Saturday as explosion rocked the town, destroying properties.
Sources disclosed that the incident, which occurred in the early hours less than two kilometres from Akure airport, cut off the Akure/Owo road while many people were injured and more than 50 houses destroyed.
A prophetess and founder of Possibility Prayer Mountain for All Nations and others were said to be injured as the church is located were the bomb exploded, while 17 buildings inside the church premises were affected.
A son of the prophetess, Kehinde Ayelaba, said his mother and two other families were injured and have been hospitalised.
As of the time of this report, no death has been recorded.
Speaking on the incident, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the explosion was caused by a vehicle in a convoy heading to a storage facility in a neighbouring state after it broke down along the Akure-Owo Road.
Akeredolu said: “I have been briefed by the security chiefs that in the early hours of Saturday, March 28th, a vehicle in a convoy transporting explosives to a storage facility in a neighbouring state developed a fault while in transit along the Akure Owo Road about 2km from the Akure Airport.
“Security personnel and other individuals transporting the ordinances noticed smoke from the vehicle. After several attempts to extinguish the resulting fire failed, the vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion that was felt in Akure and its environs.
“Presently, efforts are being made to ascertain if there are casualties.
“I have directed that the area be cordoned off to allow the explosive ordinance department/bomb squad to extricate the vehicle buried underground because it is unclear if there are still explosives that are yet to be detonated.
“I have instructed the State Ministry for Works to commence the rehabilitation of the alternate route, a rural road through Iluabo, due to the importance of the Akure-Owo Road. We will also engage the Federal Government on how to fast track the repair of the damaged portion.
He therefore warned people to maintain a respectable distance to avert another disaster.