Bodija Explosion: We’ll ensure every part of Oyo State is secure – Makinde

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, has reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure that every part of the state is safe and secure.

The governor gave the assurance in commemoration of the first anniversary of the explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue, Bodija area of Ibadan, last year.

This is as the Bodija Estate Residents, Ibadan, held a commemoration service in honour of the January 16, 2024 explosion that rocked the area at Bodija Estate Baptist Church.

The explosion had claimed the lives of some people, injured over 70 individuals, while over 200 houses and many vehicles were destroyed.

Makinde, while praying for those who lost their lives in the incident, called on the citizens 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 why we are investing so much in security. But for these efforts to yield the desired results, we need the cooperation of the citizens; we need information from the citizens. That is why we say, ‘If you see something, say something and the authorities will do something about it.’

“The explosion of January 16, 2024 could have been prevented if those who saw those 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.

“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 by providing 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.

“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 government will soon start the process of rebuilding the affected area 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 (NSE), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

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.”

However, Muyiwa Bamgbose, chairman, Bodija Estate Resident Association, at the commemoration service, enjoined relevant authorities to expedite investigation on the cause of the explosion and deal with the perpetrators of the incident.

Bamgbose also called on the government and notable individuals to provide necessary assistance to residents affected by the explosion.

Iyiola Oladokun, chairman, Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group and former deputy governor of Oyo State, urged residents of the estate to be united in safeguarding the community.

Idowu Ogedegbe, a reverend and executive assistant on Administration to Governor Seyi, said that the state government has put in place measures to forestall a reoccurrence.

While appealing to the victims of the explosion to accept the compensation the state government is planning to give them, he urged them to always be security conscious.