Three Dead In Ibadan Gas Explosion: FG Vows Crackdown On Illegal Operators

According to Ireporter Online, a tragic gas explosion in the Biodun Alaadun area of Ona Ara Local Government, Ibadan, claimed the lives of three people on Friday, November 21, 2025. The blast occurred when a tanker was offloading LPG into a retail outlet, igniting flames that caused widespread damage to nearby homes, shops, and a church.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, expressed profound sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families affected and the people of Oyo State. He described the explosion as entirely preventable and emphasized that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate illegal gas operations.

Ekpo warned that unlawful practices, negligence, and the use of substandard equipment are the primary causes of such disasters. He reaffirmed that cooking gas is safe when handled properly and stressed the importance of adhering to regulations and operational licenses.

The minister confirmed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has launched a full investigation into the incident. He urged residents and eyewitnesses to cooperate with authorities to ensure the root causes are identified and future tragedies prevented.

“Illegal operators must vacate the sector immediately. The Federal Government will shut down unsafe sites, prosecute offenders, and enforce safety regulations to safeguard lives and property,” Ekpo stated. He further reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening oversight of the downstream gas sector to prevent similar incidents in the future.