Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) has demanded justice, calling on the Oyo State Government to bring perpetrators of the Jan. 16, 2024, explosion to book.
The association’s president, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, placed the demand during the Bodija Estate Explosion Remembrance Service held on Thursday in Ibadan to commemorate the incident.
The remembrance service was organised by BERA in conjunction with the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG).
Bamgbose said they wanted those who caused the problem to be prosecuted and that there should be transparency and accountability so that people could have closure.
“They will have the assurance that those who caused the problem have been punished and there would likely be people who will not do that kind of thing again,” he said.
Recounting some of the victims’ ordeals, he said some of them still have nowhere to stay while others have been staying with relatives.
“Some still look at where their houses used to be in hopelessly. We hope the support that the government is sending would be expedited and arrive very quickly so that hope that is delayed will not make the heart grow sick,” Bamgbose said.
He called on the community for more solidarity, adding that he was impressed with the turnout at the remembrance service.
He further said efforts were underway to boost security in the area through the Know-your-Neighbours adopted policy.
In his address, the Chairman of DOVG, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, said the event was to honour the memories of those who lost their lives and sympathise with their families and friends who continued to grieve.
He appreciated the first responders, security agencies, the state government as well as volunteers who risked their lives to save others.
“Your selflessness and dedication are a beacon of hope,” Oladokun said.
He, however, urged residents to work together to rebuild and strengthen the community.
“We must remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety and security of our neighbourhood.
“Let us learn from this tragedy and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future,” Oladokun said.
Also, the Executive Assistant to the Oyo State Governor, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, said the government had set up a committee to support victims of the explosion.
He stressed the commitment of the state government to ensure the security of lives and forestall future occurrences.
Ogedengbe denied that the government had been shielding the perpetrators of the incident, adding that their prosecution had commenced.
He, however, declined to speak on details of the prosecution. Meanwhile, some of the survivors of the blast, who narrated their experiences after one year, said the effects had been unimaginable.
One of them, Mr Muhammad Denise, said his eardrum, which was damaged by the sound from the blast, was yet to recover.
“We are alive, we thank God but it has not been easy. Things can be better, but we are still healing gradually; we are yet to get there, but we pray we will get there soon.
“It has been a series of promises all through. We are not satisfied with the way things are. I am still nursing wounds; some of us our eardrums were perforated.
“We have gone, and are still going through a series of medical care. It is healing gradually as we have been told it will take time,” Denise said.
Another victim, Mr Muyiwa Ige, lamented what he described as weak intervention from the government.
He said victims who were accommodated in the hotels were kicked out within 30 to 45 days after the incident in a very undignified manner.
Ige alleged there had been no information about the arrest and trial of those involved in the incident.
“The tenant who rented the place is at large -God will help us in this community and country,” he said.
Another victim, Mr Taiwo Salami, also called for the expedition of actions to bring succour to victims.
Pictures and names of five persons who died from the explosion were on the programme of the event, with their families and loved ones prayed for. The community is also set to hold a candlelight procession in honour of the deceased.
Bodija explosion: We have taken steps to prosecute suspects – Makinde
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said his government had taken steps to prosecute the alleged suspects of the Jan. 16, 2024, explosion at Bodija area in Ibadan.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary to the Gov. Makinde.
Recall that the devastating explosion at Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue, Bodija Housing Estate, occurred on Jan. 16, 2024.
No fewer than five persons lost their lives and properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed by the explosion, the impact of which was felt several kilometers from the scene of the incident.
The statement quoted Makinde as saying that the suspects are facing trial for terrorism and are currently being held in prison.
The governor also disclosed that government would soon start the process of rebuilding the affected areas, as contracts have been awarded to fix all the roads in the axis.
“Similarly, we have inaugurated a relief disbursement committee, comprising residents of the affected area, and representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, among others.
“The committee is to come up with a modality for the disbursement of the financial support the state government is providing for those who were affected by the explosion,” he said.
Makinde further assured the people of the state that his government was determined to make every part of the state safe and secure.
He called on all residents of the state to join hands with the government in securing the state.
“As a government we are doing all we can to make the state safe, this is the reason we are investing so much in security architecture.
“But for these efforts to yield the desired results, we need the cooperation of the citizens; thus we need information from the citizens,” he maintained.
According to him, the explosion could have been prevented if residents of the area had informed security operatives when the suspects were storing the explosives.
“So, to prevent recurrence of such in any part of the state, let us all take the issue of security seriously and cooperate with security operatives.
“Let’s provide necessary information that will help them in discharging their duties of securing our lives.
“We pray for the repose of those who lost their lives in the incident and we pray that Almighty God will continue to strengthen their loved ones,” the governor said.