Makinde Vows Justice, Relief For Victims Of Bodija Explosion

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that his administration is taking decisive steps to bring justice to those responsible for the Bodija explosion that claimed five lives and caused extensive damage in Ibadan on January 16, 2024.

Speaking during a commemoration of the tragedy on Thursday, Makinde disclosed that suspects linked to the incident are already facing trial for terrorism and are being held in custody.

“As a government, we have taken steps to prosecute those who caused this unfortunate incident. They are facing trial for terrorism and are currently being held in prison,” the governor said.

Makinde announced the inauguration of a relief disbursement committee, which includes residents of the affected area and representatives from professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Naija News gathered that the committee had been tasked with developing a plan for distributing financial support to explosion victims.

He also revealed plans to rebuild the affected area. “The government will soon start the process of rebuilding the affected area, as contracts have been awarded to fix all the roads in the axis,” Makinde added.

Remembering The Tragic Incident

The explosion, which occurred during an African Cup of Nations match, was caused by stockpiled explosives detonating in a residential building on Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue. The incident reverberated across Ibadan, leading to widespread panic.

The tragedy left five people dead and caused extensive damage to nearby buildings and structures, prompting swift intervention from emergency responders and security agencies.

Makinde reiterated the importance of public cooperation in preventing such incidents. He urged citizens to report suspicious activities to security operatives to avert similar tragedies.

“The explosion of January 16, 2024, could have been prevented if those who saw individuals storing explosive devices in residential areas had informed our security operatives.

“That means the people that died did not have to die, the houses that were destroyed didn’t have to be destroyed, and the disruption that we experienced didn’t have to happen,” he noted.

The governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to improving the state’s security architecture and called for residents to support these efforts.

He said, “As a government, we are doing all we can to make the state safe. But for these efforts to yield the desired results, we need the cooperation of the citizens. That is why we say, ‘If you see something, say something, and the authorities will do something about it.”

Makinde prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and offered comfort to their families while promising a safer, more secure Oyo State for all residents.