Follow Us on Google
By Oluseye Ojo
Worried by mounting security threats and growing residents’ complaints, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has stepped in with firm assurances to confront insecurity, erratic power supply, environmental noise and lingering fallout from the Bodija explosion, which occurred in January 2024.
The monarch gave the assurance in Ibadan when he received the maiden edition of Bodija Connect magazine, presented to him by the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association (BERA), led by its president, Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose.
Ladoja stated that immediate steps were underway to strengthen grassroots security architecture across Ibadan, particularly through enhanced support for vigilante groups in all 11 local government areas.
“Adequate support will be provided for vigilante groups in all the 11 local government areas of Ibadan to put an end to insecurity, kidnapping and other crimes,” the monarch said.
He added that the intervention would include financial backing and operational equipment to enable the groups to effectively secure lives and property, noting that he had already met with them and assured them of the needed support.
Addressing concerns over the serenity of Bodija Estate, Ladoja also vowed to ensure regulation of commercial activities within the area to prevent disruption of residents’ peaceful living, particularly from clubs, lounges and religious centres.
Earlier, Bamgbose had appealed for the monarch’s intervention on a range of pressing issues affecting the estate, including insecurity, poor power supply, road safety and post-explosion relief.
Other News
He identified rising cases of abduction in Ibadan as a major concern for residents and called for stronger, government-backed security measures, including the deployment of technology to deter criminal activities.
The BERA president also urged the installation of speed breakers and other traffic-calming measures to curb reckless driving and prevent avoidable deaths within the estate.
On environmental concerns, he decried increasing noise pollution from entertainment and religious centres, warning that it was eroding the once tranquil atmosphere of the estate, particularly for the elderly.
Bamgbose further lamented erratic electricity supply to Bodija and called for urgent intervention to improve power delivery.
He also raised concerns over the aftermath of the Bodija explosion, alleging that compensation paid to some victims had been reduced, while certain affected houses beyond the 500-metre radius were excluded from relief efforts.
Despite the challenges, Bamgbose described the launch of Bodija Connect as a milestone, noting that the publication showed the association’s commitment to community development, knowledge sharing and sustained engagement.
He said the magazine captures critical issues affecting the estate, including the explosion, its heritage and the aspirations for a more resilient and thriving Bodija community.
Other BERA executives present at the event included Vice President, Dipo Olasope (SAN); General Secretary, David Afolayan; Public Relations Officer, Ayo Oyerinde; Treasurer, Ayo Ola; and Financial Secretary, Oluwatayo Moses.
