Victims of Ibadan blast have solicited the assistance of the Federal and State governments in their bids to return to their various homes barely nine months after the gory incident.

The devastating blast, which left in its trail destruction of valuables worth millions of naira and loss of lives, occurred on January 16, 2024.

Recounting the losses at a press briefing on Wednesday in Ibadan, the affected residents under the aegis of Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, DOVG submitted that their present situation outside their various homes is unbearable.

The Chairman of the Group, Yakubu Adedigba added that majority of them have become a burden to friends and relations.

His submission, ?As patriotic and loyal Nigerians, while we are grateful to the government of Oyo State for the past favour, we now passionately call on both the Federal and State Governments to do more to alleviate the sufferings of the residents of DOVG.

?It is an understatement to say that we are in distress as many of us have not been able to return to our homes and are still squatting with relatives and friends.

?Some of our houses destroyed by the blast are now overgrown with weeds and invaded by wild animals. Most of us are Senior citizens who have no means at the twilight of our lives to embark on building new houses from our meagre resources.

?To ameliorate the unsavory situation brought about by the unfortunate blast of 16th January 2024, we, the Residents of DOVG appeal to the Federal Government for financial rehabilitation as it has been done for victims of mining explosion in the Niger state and the victims of the more recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, Borno state.

?The financial rehabilitation would help many of us to rebuild our houses which we built during our active years.

?We urge the Oyo state government to act without delay on the list submitted at the Oyo State Housing Corporation on the material losses we suffered as a result of the blast.

?We urge that the prosecution of the agents of destruction who disturbed the peace of our residential area on 16th January 2024 should continue unabated,? they appealed. (Nigerian Tribune)

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