One year after the devastating Bodija Explosion incident, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that suspected perpetrators of the act are standing trial for alleged terrorism.
He made the disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday in commemoration of the first anniversary of the explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue, Bodija area of Ibadan.
“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,” he said.
Makinde also disclosed that the state government will soon start the process of rebuilding the affected area, stating that contracts have been awarded to fix all the roads along the scene of the Bodija explosion.
He added that a relief disbursement committee has been inaugurated to come up with modalities for the distribution of financial supports provided by the government to victims of the Bodija explosion.
He said the committee comprised residents of the affected area and representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
“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,” he said.
Governor Makinde also restated the determination of his administration to ensure that every part of the state is safe and secure.
The governor, while praying for the repose of 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 architecture.
“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,” Makinde stated in the statement by his Special Adviser Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
