Ibadan Explosion Victims Seek Makinde’s Intervention Nine Months After Disaster

Nine months after the devastating explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan, which occurred on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, affected residents are still grappling with the aftermath. On Wednesday, survivors and displaced residents expressed their frustration, lamenting that many of them remain unable to return to their homes due to the extent of the damage. They called on both the Oyo State and Federal Governments to intensify efforts to alleviate their suffering, as they continue to endure the hardship of displacement.

The explosion, which claimed five lives, left 77 people injured, and damaged 58 houses, has resulted in lingering challenges for those affected. Many of the victims, now living in temporary arrangements with family or friends, say the slow pace of recovery and reconstruction has made their situation unbearable.

Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group (DOVG) at Dilay Event Centre in Ibadan, the chairman of the group, Yakubu Adedigba, highlighted the plight of the displaced residents. He expressed their gratitude to the Oyo State government for previous support but stressed that more action is needed to help them rebuild their lives.

“As patriotic and loyal Nigerians, while we are grateful to the government of Oyo State for the past favour, we now passionately call on both the Federal and State Governments to do more to alleviate the sufferings of the residents of DOVG,” Adedigba said.

He painted a grim picture of the situation, explaining that many of the affected houses remain in ruins, overgrown with weeds and exposed to further deterioration. “It is an understatement to say that we are in distress as many of us have not been able to return to our homes and are still squatting with relatives and friends,” he continued.

The explosion, whose cause was reportedly linked to a gas leak, caused significant structural damage to homes, leaving elderly residents in particular at a loss. According to the DOVG Chairman, many of those displaced are senior citizens who lack the financial means to rebuild their homes.

“Most of us are senior citizens who have no means at the twilight of our lives to embark on building new houses from our meagre resources,” he added, emphasizing the need for urgent government intervention to provide lasting solutions.

The residents also raised concerns about safety, noting that the abandoned houses have become overgrown and are now being invaded by wild animals, further compounding their fears about returning.

The explosion in Bodija remains one of the most significant tragedies in recent memory for the city of Ibadan, and it underscores the importance of safety regulations around gas facilities and residential areas. Despite some government efforts to support the victims, the pace of rehabilitation and resettlement has been slow, and the affected residents continue to face an uncertain future.

The plea from the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group is a reminder of the critical need for consistent government action, not just in the immediate aftermath of such disasters, but in the long-term recovery process. As they wait for assistance, the displaced residents are urging both state and federal authorities to take more decisive steps to ensure that they can return to their homes and rebuild their lives after this harrowing incident.