A Malian miner in Ibadan, Oyo State, identified as Sawane Youssouf, has denied owning or renting the building where a deadly explosion occurred last week.
The blast, attributed to stored explosives, killed five people, injured 77, and damaged 58 houses at Adeyi, Old Bodija in Ibadan.
Youssouf is believed to be the owner of the building where the explosion that killed five people, injured 77 persons, and damaged 58 houses at Adeyi, Old Bodija in Ibadan took place.
Governor Seyi Makinde linked the incident to Youssouf’s alleged illegal mining activities and on Wednesday, signed into law Executive Order 001, 2024, on handling and storage of harmful substances.
He proceeded to the ground zero of the blast after signing the order.
While speaking with journalists at ground zero, the governor said, “I just signed an Executive Order on handling and storage of harmful substances. If you are caught in the state not following the law, the law will take its full course. There is zero tolerance on handling of harmful substances.”
However, Youssouf insists his mining operations are legal and claims no involvement with the explosives.
In a signed statement titled “Bodija Explosion: My Own Side of the Story,” Youssouf said, “I categorically state and declare here again now that I am not the owner of the building and explosives in question.”
The statement read, “I felt the need to, once again, state my side of the story to clear the public’s mind about my alleged involvement in the sad occurrence.
“Insinuations are rife that I am the owner of the Ground Zero building where the explosives that led to the explosion were stockpiled and warehoused, prior to the incident.
“It is against this background that I categorically state and declare here again now that I am not the owner of the building and explosives in question. While it is true that I am into mining in Oyo State, all my activities are legal, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Youssouf added that he also didn’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.”
The statement added, “I am using this medium to appeal to the state government, security agencies, and other appropriate authorities to extend their investigation to reveal the identity of the real owners of the building and the explosives that led to the explosion on January 16.”
Youssouf expressed his condolences for the victims and appealed to the authorities to intensify their investigation to identify the true owner of the building and explosives. He also pledged his cooperation with security agencies in their efforts to uncover the truth.