Two years after Bodija explosion, residents demand justice, more govt support
By Adejayan Gbenga
Residents of Bodija Estate in Ibadan have renewed calls for increased government intervention and justice for victims, two years after the explosion that rocked the area on 16 January 2024.
The appeal was made on Friday during a second-year remembrance service organised by the Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA). Speaking at the event, BERA President, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, said the support earlier received by victims was inadequate.
According to Bamgbose, the initial budget approved for compensation was reduced, while some residents earlier listed for support were later excluded due to insufficient funds. He added that only those within a 500-metre radius of the explosion’s epicentre were compensated, despite the wider impact.
He noted that some families who lost loved ones had received no compensation, while others who began rebuilding their damaged homes were unable to complete the work because of financial constraints. Bamgbose urged residents to remain calm, stressing that the association was only seeking fair support for all affected persons.
Responding on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Mr Demola Omotosho, assured residents that the state government remained committed to addressing the situation.
He said infrastructural repairs, including roads and public facilities, would continue. Omotosho added that more interventions would still come, assuring residents that the government would not abandon them. He appealed for patience, noting that the response to the incident was ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Pastor-in-Charge of Bodija Estate Baptist Church, Rev. Julius Okanlawon, called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the explosion. He said some victims were undergoing psychotherapy, while others were battling respiratory challenges caused by fumes inhaled during the blast.
Some survivors also recounted their ordeals, with calls for additional support. The renewed demands followed controversy surrounding the ₦30 billion intervention fund reportedly received by the Oyo State Government from the Federal Government, with ₦4.2 billion allegedly released for reconstruction, compensation and victim support.
