Bodija explosion: Victims receive relief funds

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government on Thursday began the disbursement of ₦4.8 billion to victims of the Bodija explosion.

President of the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association (BERA), Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, confirmed this during a press conference in Ibadan, organised by the association in collaboration with the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG) and the wider Bodija community.

Bamgbose, while expressing deep gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for fulfilling his promise, explained that the state government, through the Relief Fund Management and Disbursement Committee led by the Deputy Governor, approved a total support package of ₦4.08 billion. This followed extensive assessments by professional bodies, which identified 318 buildings within the 500-meter blast radius.

The committee also recommended financial compensation for families who suffered fatalities, registered tenants, and owners of damaged vehicles.

According to BERA, the community additionally received ₦35.4 million in donations and relief materials, including contributions from the Federal Government through NEMA and SEMA, which were officially received and equitably distributed in August 2024.

However, the statement noted that 17 affected properties were excluded from the official compensation list due to their location outside the 500-meter radius—an exclusion BERA described as technical and not reflective of the genuine losses suffered by those households.

“We respectfully appeal to His Excellency to extend relief support to these households in the spirit of equity and compassion,” the statement read.

The disbursement has officially commenced, with many beneficiaries confirming receipt. BERA, however, acknowledged that about 20 cases—mostly involving fatalities, inheritance disputes, or account discrepancies—would require additional clarification or legal resolution, with input from the Ministry of Justice.