Two years after the deadly Bodija explosion in Ibadan, victims and families affected by the incident have renewed calls for financial support and compensation, amid controversy over a reported N30bn intervention fund.
The calls were made on Saturday during an interdenominational remembrance service held at All Souls Church, Old Bodija, to mark the second anniversary of the explosion.
The event was organised by the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association, in collaboration with the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, and was attended by residents, community and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the Oyo State Government.
Speaking at the service, the President of BERA, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, urged residents to remain calm while drawing attention to families who are yet to receive any form of assistance.
“I have to appeal to our people. There are families who lost loved ones and, as we speak, they have not received anything. There are also people who started rebuilding their houses but have not been able to finish because they do not have access to funds,” Bamgbose said.
He explained that earlier compensation decisions were influenced by limited funds available at the time.
“When we were in the committee meetings reviewing issues and feedback, the information available then showed that there was not enough money. As a result, figures were cut down and some things were removed. That is a fact,” he said.
Bamgbose said recent reports suggesting the availability of funds should lead to renewed focus on helping victims.
“However, we now hear that there are funds available. Our attitude is that the people should be helped and made happy. What happened to them was not by their own doing,” he said.
“They did not want it and they did not pray for it. Whatever happened to them, we should try as much as possible to assuage their feelings,” he added.
He said the emotional impact of the explosion was still evident among survivors.
“There is no way anything we do can completely remove the scar. But it should not be something that will cause them to continue in sorrow. Seeing people still breaking down in tears shows how serious the situation is,” Bamgbose said.
He appealed to the government not to divert available funds away from the victims.
“We are appealing to the government that now that funds are available, they should not be returned or used entirely for roads or other projects. The people who are hurting should be supported,” he said.
The renewed calls come amid claims by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, that the Federal Government released ₦50bn to Oyo State after the explosion.
Fayose alleged that the money was paid into the state’s coffers and accused Governor Seyi Makinde of failing to disclose it.
The Oyo State Government initially denied receiving the funds but later clarified that ₦30bn was released, while ₦20bn was yet to be paid. The state said the ₦30bn remains untouched and earmarked for support and reconstruction.
Representing Governor Makinde at the service, the Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Demola Omotoso, said the government remained committed to supporting victims of the explosion.
“The incident was very unfortunate and was not planned by anybody. It is one of those things that happen,” Omotoso said.
He said the government responded immediately after the incident.
“As a government, we rose to the occasion immediately after the incident. Support was provided, security was ensured, and people were accommodated over a period of time,” he said.
Omotoso said government support had continued beyond the initial response.
“Even afterward, the government has continued to show empathy, especially to the residents of Bodija and those who lost loved ones,” he said.
He dismissed claims of negligence, insisting that the government acted responsibly.
“From the very moment the incident happened, there was no vacuum. The government acted out of duty and responsibility,” Omotoso said.
He assured residents that further interventions were planned.
“The government will continue to do more. Where we are now is not where it will stop,” he said.
