Residents affected by the Bodija explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, on January 16, 2024, expressed their frustration on Wednesday, revealing they are still unable to return to their homes nine months after the incident. They are now urging both the state and federal governments to increase their efforts to ease their suffering, as many continue to live in temporary accommodations.

The explosion resulted in five fatalities, 77 injuries of varying severity, and damage to 58 houses on Dejo Oyelese Street. Speaking on behalf of the victims at Dilay Event Centre in Ibadan, Yakubu Adedigba, Chairman of the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, highlighted the dire circumstances faced by the residents.

“As patriotic and loyal Nigerians, we are thankful for the previous support from the Oyo State government. However, we urgently call on both the federal and state governments to do more to alleviate the suffering of the Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group members,” he stated.

He emphasized the distress they are experiencing, stating, “It is an understatement to say that we are in distress. Many of us have not been able to return to our homes and are still squatting with relatives and friends. Some of the homes destroyed by the blast are now overgrown with weeds and have become havens for wild animals. Most of us are senior citizens with limited resources, and we cannot afford to rebuild our homes at this stage of our lives.”

READ ALSO: Ibadan Explosion Death Toll Rises To Five – Oyo Govt