Ibadan Explosion: Alleged Malian miner denies involvement

 Alhaji Sawane Youssouf; the Malian Miner alleged to occupy the building housing explosives responsible for the explosion at Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan, has charged the state government and security operatives to step up the efforts at unraveling the real occupants of the building linked to the unfortunate incident.

Also, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has signed Executive Order 001 of 2024 on the safe handling of harmful substances.

While signing the order at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said: “We are signing the Executive Order 001 of 2024, and this is on the safe-handling and storage of harmful substances within Oyo State.

“We are doing this in light of the unfortunate incident at Bodija, where explosives were stored in a residential area. So, dated today, 31st of January 2024, we have the Executive Order, which is now a law in the state.”

Daily Trust had reported that deaths and destruction of properties were recorded when the unfortunate incident struck on January 16.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that the occupants of the house had stored up explosive materials in their apartment.

 Corroborating this, a former Lawmaker; Muyideen Olagunju Esq identified Alhaji Sawane Youssouf as the main culprit who stored up the explosives.

Muyideen Olagunju in his Facebook write-up claimed that the explosion was the handiwork of Alhaji Sawane Youssouf who engaged in mining operations in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State. He said, Sawane has been stockpiling explosives in the said house for his extensive mining businesses.

 However, Alhaji Sawane Youssouf has come out to debunk the allegations saying he has no link whatsoever with the apartment in question as he neither own or rented same.

Sawane who claimed to be a resident of Ibadan denied the allegation that he resides in the estate nor own a building there.

He affirmed being a miner, operating legally in Oyo state and Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

While declaring his readiness to partner with security agents in the course of investigation, he appealed to the State Government, security agencies and other appropriate authorities to beam their searchlight further.

“Though I live in Ibadan, I have never rented or owned a house at Dejo Oyelese Avenue, Bodija Ibadan, where the incident happened. I also don’t have anything to do with the explosives that led to the huge loss of human lives and the collateral destruction of property at the scene of the incident.

“I am using this medium to appeal to the Oyo State Government, security agencies and other appropriate authorities to beam their searchlight further to reveal the identity of the REAL OWNER(S) of the building and the explosives that led to the explosion that of 16th January, 2024.

“Meanwhile, I am readily available, whenever I am needed, to help the security agencies in the course of further investigation  into the sad incidents .” Sawane said.