Ibadan Explosion: FG should investigate, provide succour to victims — S4C

By Eyo Nsima

Spaces for Change, S4C, a non-profit organization working to infuse human rights into social and economic governance processes in Nigeria, has condemned in the explosion on the 16th of January 2024, at about 7:44 pm, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaneri, Executive Director, S4C, stated: “Spaces For Change | S4C condemns in totality the explosion on the 16th of January 2024, at about 7:44 pm, in Ibadan, Oyo State, as a result of the action of illegal miners in the area, and calls for a detailed investigation into the incident. This explosion has, so far, resulted in the tragic loss of two lives, leaving 77 persons injured, and resulting in damages to properties worth millions of Naira, as confirmed by relevant media outlets.

“The activities of illegal mining operations continue to be a severe clog to the growth and development of the national economy, with the accompanying tragic loss of lives and properties which it leaves in its wake. Their activities in the North West, North Central, and South West geopolitical zones respectively, have substantially contributed to the insecurity in the area which has led to the continuous loss of lives, properties, and displacements in the region.

“While these events may not be closely related, the evils of illegal mining activities leave in its trail nothing short of destruction. It is an activity that, over the years, has been one of our core areas of engagement as an organization, with a clear mission to ensure that stakeholders understand the destructive nature of its illegal usage and how citizens remain the highest recipients of its damages. As our extant law on mining operations provides, illegal mining is prohibited under Section 2 of the Nigeria Mineral and Mining Act. Its prohibition by law shows how destructive its continuance would be, as unchecked activities of this magnitude leave nothing short of destruction to lives and properties.

“As our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of this tragic incident, we call on the government to continue to offer much-needed succour to the victims of this incident. While we thank the government of Oyo State for assuming the responsibility of paying the medical bills of the injured victims, we implore the government at the federal level and all relevant agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of these vile actions are brought to book. We also implore the federal government to wake up to its regulatory responsibility of the activities of the mining operations in the country to ensure compliance with the statutory provisions of our extant laws.”