The Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA) said on Wednesday that about 10 people were still missing following the January 17 explosion in the area.
The President of the umbrella body of all communities in Bodija, Mr. Muyiwa Bamgbose, said their consultation revealed that “more towards eight and nine persons, or even 10, whom those in the neighbourhood have talked about.
“We took the map of the street to them (the government) and tried to account for people house by house to get accurate information.
“If the person was seen yesterday and was not seen today or you can’t find him again, then you need to get worried. But I believe it’s nearer 10 now,” he added.
While seeking massive assistance for victims of the explosion to get back to their lives, the association pointed out the need for continuous care and support for victims whose lives have changed unexpectedly since the incident.
The president stated that many individuals covered their medical bills themselves and did not visit the designated hospitals.
“I must also confess that some hospitals, like Redeemers Clinic, were treating victims free of charge without keeping records The hospitals contributed by treating people without asking for money, and some people who could afford it took themselves to their private hospitals,” Bamgbose said.
He, however, lamented the improper organisation of victims in accessing hotel accommodation that the government had provided.
While commending the efforts of the federal and Oyo state governments, Bamgbose noted the need to learn from the explosion to better prepare for emergency operations.
“The response to the incident, though quick, was uncoordinated. This is what led to the various lapses still being experienced by victims,” he said.
He underscored the need to learn from the experience and improve on the gaps.
“This is necessary to improve on how to respond to emergencies, which could come in any form—flood, fire outbreak, and so on—and improve on best practices.”
The BERA President also disclosed that the Bodija community had, from all records, yet to find anyone who resided in the house where the explosion occurred.
Bamgbose decried the lack of demographic records as a problem, adding that it might be difficult to trace it even from the records of the State Housing Corporation.
According to Bamgbose, people have talked about some people running out of the house when the thing started, but now nobody knows whether they were caught up in the blast or disappeared under the radar.
