Alhaji Sawane Youssouf, a Malian miner, has, again, said he is not the owner of the building and the explosives that caused the devastating explosion that occured at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan two weeks ago.
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, had, following the explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Close on 16 January, said preliminary investigation showed that Ground Zero, the building where the explosives were stockpiled, belonged to illegal foreign miners.
While no name has been officially mentioned so far, Sawane Youssouf has been in the eye of the storm as he has been reportedly invited by security agencies in respect of the unfortunate incident.
However, Youssouf stated in a release he personally signed and titled, “Bodija Explosion: My Own Side Of The Story“, that he had no connection whatsoever with the Ibadan explosion.
He stated in the released, dated 31 January, 2024, that he neither owned, nor rented the said building, adding that he was not the owner of the explosives stockpiled and warehoused in the building and which led to the explosion.
This was as he also stated that he was never an illegal miner, declaring he was legally involved in mining activities in Oyo State, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
“While we are still mourning the dead and counting our losses, I felt the need to, once again, state my own side of the story to clear the mind of the public about my alleged involvement in the sad occurrence.
“Insinuations are rife that I am the owner of the Ground Zero Building where the explosives that led to the explosion were stockpiled and warehoused, prior to the incident.
“It is against the above that I categorically state and declare here again now that I am not the owner of the building and the explosives in question.
“Though I live in Ibadan, I have never rented or owned a house at Dejo Oyelese Avenue, Bodija Ibadan, where the incident happened.
“I also don’t have anything to do with the explosives that led to the huge loss of human lives and the collateral destruction of property at the scene of the incident.
“While it is true that l am into mining in Oyo State, all my activities are legal, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” he stated in the release.
Youssouf also called on the Oyo State government, security agencies and other authorities to look further in the course of investigating the explosion.
“I am using this medium to appeal to the Oyo State Government, security agencies and other appropriate authorities to beam their searchlight further to reveal the identity of the real owners of the building and the explosives that led to the explosion of January 16.
“Meanwhile, I am readily available, whenever I am needed, to help the security agencies in the course of further investigation into the sad incident,” he added.
He said the unfortunate incident remained fresh in the memory of every peace-loving people and residents of the state.
“Many innocent souls perished, while several buildings and other property were totally destroyed and lost to the sad occurrence.
“May God rest the souls of the dead and grant the victims and the Oyo State Government the serenity to bear the loss,” Youssouf added.
