As Oyo state counts its losses with some Malian illegal miners alleged to be responsible for the explosion that rocked the ancient city of Ibadan on Tuesday night, a former Attorney General of Nigeria, Chief Bola Ige, SAN, the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN, and Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN are among the many that lost their properties.
While the homes of late Bola Ige, Bandele Aiku with that an 80 year old University Professor and his 75year old wife were destroyed, Niyi Akintola and the recently deceased Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN lost their hospitality facilities.
Displaying photos of his ruined hotel in a WhatsApp chat, Chief Akintola said: “This is what remains of my modest contributions to hospitality businesses in Ibadan and just after the explosions of last night in Bodija. It is a posh hotel in a posh area known as ‘House 40” on Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodiam.
“I recall that some of our colleagues on this platform who had at one time enjoyed the hospitality of the modest 24 beds which include 8 suites, 3 chalets and 13 standard rooms are Alariwo, Wole Iyamu SAN, H,E. Iyiola Oladokun (whose residence) that shared a fence with my house 40 was completely destroyed.
“Other members of the Bar whose properties were destroyed on the street include the Late Chief Bola Ige SAN, the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN, and an hospitality building said to belong to the late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN..
“My 3 Other properties on Alabiamo Street, Adeyi Street and Adenuga Street were also slightly damaged with removed roof, removed POP ceilings, sliding doors, air-conditionals and several electrical applications. Oh my God, it is terrible. As I write this with my hands trembling, some guests and 3 hotel staff are in the hospital but we thank God that no casualty was recorded. What a way to start a new year? I need your prayers please.”
The explosion left persons dead, scores others injured, and property worth billions of naira destroyed.
A resident of Adeyi Avenue, who simply identified himself as Apa, in an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, said there were no illegal mining sites in the area.
He, however, blamed illegal miners from the West African country, Mali, who lived in the area for the explosion, adding that the Federal Government should send illegal miners out of the country.
Apa said his neighbour agreed with him that the explosion was caused by explosive materials, which the Malians used for illegal mining.
Recounting his experience, he said, “When I called my neighbour, she said, ‘You remember those Malians?’ There must be equipment they’re using for doing their mining work that must have exploded, and that equipment is not a cheap material. It’s something that’s very heavy.
“If the explosion had happened in Odogbo barracks, then one would say yes, they have all sorts of things there. That thing is not supposed to be kept in this type of environment. And wherever such equipment is kept, it must be under-regulated humidity. Maybe the temperature would have triggered it, and that’s my own suspicion.
“There is nothing like illegal mining here. It’s miners that live here that brought the equipment and they are Malians.
“This is a lesson for the Nigerian government to decide whether we still want to keep such people in our country. Malians do a lot of things apart from this; they cause a lot of havoc. The government should start thinking about what to do with them, and if you find out they don’t have documents to live in this country, you know what to do.”
Speaking to journalists on the explosion, another Bodija resident, Taiwo Salami, said, “Many have died. We saw corpses all over the street last night (Tuesday). It just has to stop. Not only in Ibadan, in Niger, in Sokoto, in Abuja, everywhere.
“There is chaos and disorder in this country. This is not the country everybody wants to live in. This is not the country of our dreams. It’s just ridiculous. Where do people start from? Lives have been lost. Can they be gained back? They cannot! Everybody woke up yesterday, thinking this is 2024.
“This is January for goodness sake. Is this how we are going to start the year? How many more of such do we have in other neighbourhood that we are not even sure of? I’m tired.”
On the scale of damage, he said, “Everything is gone, everything. The whole house is gone. All the vehicles, all the properties, everything is gone. In fact, this whole area, all the houses would have to be demolished. Every single house must be demolished because their structural defects are evident; there are cracks everywhere. Everything has to be demolished and probably rebuilt. You’re talking about billions here.”
Other resident allege that there is active mining of gemstones in Ibadan although none if it is official. They note that though Ibadan is not listed as a mining city, large scale mining takes place everyday with government officials turning blind eye.
