Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser to Oyo State Government on security matters, has blamed the Tuesday night explosion that rocked Ibadan, the state capital on the failure of the residents to report crimes to security agencies.
Owoseni said this while appearing on a live programme on TVC News, which was monitored by SaharaReporters on Thursday evening, while berating Nigerians for always giving the excuse of not knowing where to approach the police when it comes to fulfilling their civic obligations.
The governor’s aide said if the residents had informed the authorities about illegal activities going on in their area, possibly the deadly explosion that destroyed lives and properties three days ago in the state would be averted.
He said, “I have been asked a question to say that ohh people don’t know where to go. People are afraid to talk to security agents. Like it is high time we stop giving such excuses; when people want to use the police or security, for bad things, to illegally escort them, to come and guard their parties, to follow them, and carry bag. They know where to go. I’ve been in service before, I am retired now, I am amongst the people.
“They know where to call us to say, ‘Oga I passed one way and police have arrested me’. But when it comes to rendering civic obligations to the community, we will keep on saying that Oh, we don’t even know who to approach.
“Meanwhile, there are various means through which intelligence can be spread. Put something in the social media. It will go viral whether you like it or not. The people in government will see it. Members of the National Assembly will see it. They will raise it at the floor of the assembly. So we must stop hiding under clog of ‘Oh we don’t trust security people.’ The world has gone beyond that,” he said.
On Tuesday night, a loud bang was heard around the Agbowo, Sango, Orogun and Bodija areas of the city which led to the destruction of houses and lives.
The incident was said to have been caused by explosives stored by illegal miners occupying a house in the Bodija area of the city, according to the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde.
ANN learnt how the death toll in the deadly incident increased to five as the state government recovered two more lifeless bodies from the scene of the incident on Thursday morning.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also confirmed that over 20 houses and places of residence were affected in the incident.
