- Victim bemoans losses
By Ayomide Joseph
The recent tragic explosion that hit the Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday has left a trail of destruction, with numerous individuals and businesses counting their losses, including prominent figures such as the late Chief Bola Ige, former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and legal luminary Niyi Akintola SAN.
The blast, which occurred on Tuesday, wreaked havoc within a 100-meter radius, particularly impacting clusters of businesses, predominantly in the hospitality sector.
Reports detail that Dejo Oyelese Street, Alabiamo Street, Adeniyi Street, and Adenuga Street of Old Bodija bore the brunt of the devastation.
Initial estimates from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirm that a staggering 58 structures bore the brunt of the blast, leaving many homeless and causing extensive damage to businesses in a 100-meter radius.
According to a statement attributed to Niyi Akintola SAN, a list of businesses and properties destroyed included those belonging to the late Chief Bola Ige and former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Among the casualties was a high-end hotel known as ‘House 40’ on Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, known to be a stopping point for notable politicians and personalities in the state.
Akintola in the statement said that the blast “marks the remnants of humble contributions to the hospitality sector in Ibadaland, following the explosions last night in Bodija. The affected establishment is a high-end hotel situated in the upscale area known as ‘House 40,’ which shares a fence with the residence of H.E. Iyiola Oladokun.”
He continued, “Several other members of the Bar with properties on the same street faced destruction, including the late Chief Bola Ige SAN and the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN. Additionally, a hospitality building reportedly owned by the late Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, suffered significant damage.”
Akintola lamented the distressing situation, revealing that some guests and three hotel staff members were currently hospitalized.
