Victims of the January 17, 2024 explosion at Bodija Estate, Ibadan, have urged Governor Seyi Makinde to publish details of how the government spent over N176 million on them since January.

The call followed an altercation between the government of Oyo State and victims of the explosion, which claimed several lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

Speaking on the issue, Chairman, Bodija Estate Resident Association, Muyiwa Bamigbose, said the details of how government has been funding the feeding, accommodation, and medical bills of the victims should be published to justify the claim that over N160 million and another N16 million have been spent separately.

The cleric, who spoke with The Guardian on telephone, said there is no doubt that the government has done its best.

He, however, said: “A situation where the victims are claiming that they were neglected, and hotels where most of the victims were lodged are also fuming over non-settlements of bills and threatening to, or have sent some of the victims packing from their lodgings; the onus is on government to come out transparently by publishing the details of what it claimed it spent.”

Bamigbose said: “We are talking about human beings, their health, and other needs; transparency on the side of the government would resolve this.

“Nigerians also need to know if or not some unscrupulous persons were taking advantage of the situation at the expense of real victims, who need resuscitation amid this economic hardship.”

Bamigbose’s comments followed the alarm raised by victims in a displaced Persons’ camp who alleged abandonment by the government.

The victims were formerly accommodated on the bill of the government at one of the highbrow hotels around Basorun Akobo, Ibadan, but were later moved to another hotel along Jericho, also within Ibadan metropolis.

One of the victims, name withheld, said: “Governor Makinde, out of kindness and love for his citizens, housed most of us who were homeless in various hotels. We were originally housed at Carlton Gate Hotel, a gesture we sincerely appreciate.

“On February 16, the hotel management decided to forcibly evict us using various tactics. They stopped giving us food and went to the extent of harassing us with armed guards in our rooms. We were eventually relocated to Orchard Hotels, with a standby instruction of one meal per room, irrespective of the number of occupants. Some of us decided to boycott the food because it was humiliating.

“The meal was later stopped, and light was gradually withdrawn. We want to make it clear that most of us are in the hotel today because the result of the integrity test for most of the houses has just been released and renovation has just commenced.

“Also, the restoration of electricity, which is entirely the job of the government and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), is still on hold. Are they expecting us to move to the estate without basic facilities? We want quick and urgent intervention. We cannot stand this humiliation again.”

Another victim, Ibrahim Adekunle, said: “It is so difficult here. But our main body, I mean, the association of landlords, is making moves towards seeing the governor and making presentations on behalf of the victims.”

Reacting, the government on Monday debunked the insinuation that it had abandoned the welfare of the victims.

In a statement, Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the allegation was unfair and unnecessary.

On the allegation that some of the victims were evicted from their hotels, the commissioner said nothing could be further from the truth.

“On the accusation that victims’ meals were reduced to one, the government sees this as equally spurious because many hotels provide complimentary breakfasts. And most of our wards go out in the daytime, hence, the government’s decision to provide dinner,” he said.

Oyelade said: “Government is humbled by the gratitude and understanding shown by the victims and the populace alike, who see the genuineness of government spending millions of naira to protect the property left behind by the victims, including the large sums of money spent on their medical bills, accommodation, and feeding.”

Meanwhile, a visit to the scene of the explosion, located around Dejo Oyeleye Street, inside Bodija Government Reservation Area (GRA) and other adjoining streets, on Tuesday, showed that bricklayers, welders and carpenters were busy delivering their clients’ jobs.

Though security at the scene was still tight with operatives standing guard, some home owners and artisans were allowed movement as vehicles brought in materials needed for the repair of the damaged buildings.