Bodija explosion: Oyo Govt approves N4.5bn compensation for victims

The Oyo State Government has approved a financial package of N4.5 billion to support victims and survivors of the Bodija explosion that occurred on 16 January 2024.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

The statement followed an executive council meeting held in Ibadan, where the approval was granted.

“This N4.5 billion is in addition to the over N200 million the government has already spent on emergency accommodation, food, medical care, and security since the incident,” Oyelade said.

He added that the council had also endorsed a recommendation by a 10-member committee to revoke the titles of two properties located off Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, which were identified as the site of the explosion.

According to him, the decision to revoke the land titles was made in the public interest.

“The government intends to erect a monument on the revoked land in honour of the victims,” he said.

The commissioner condemned the circulation of misinformation and unfounded claims allegedly made by individuals claiming to represent residents of the affected area.

He described such statements as unjust and misleading, stating that the government would not be deterred in its efforts to deliver justice.

He also confirmed that the Ministry of Justice would pursue the prosecution of suspects already charged in connection with the explosion and that efforts were underway to apprehend others still at large