Ibadan explosion: Makinde signs executive order on handling, storage of harmful substances

• Says anyone caught will face full wrath of law • Malian, Yousouff, denies owning Bodija building, explosives

O YOState Governor , Seyi Makinde, yesterday signed into law an Executive Order on handling and storage of harmful substances. This followed the unfortunate incident that claimed innocent lives and destroyed property at Bodija in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Makinde, who spoke with journalists after signing the Executive Order into la w at his private office, said the move became imperative in the light of the unfortunate incident at Bodija where explosives were stored in a residential area.

He said with the new law, such an incident would never reoccur in the state.

Makinde said: "I just signed an Executive Order on handling and storage of harmful substances. If you are caught in Oyo State not following the law, the law will take its full course. There is zero tolerance on handling of harmful substances.” MEANWHILE,

the Malian, Sawane Youssouf, suspected to be the owner of the Ground Zero building where explosives were allegedly stockpiled, leading to the explosion that rocked Bodija area in Ibadan, Oyo State, has said that he neither owned nor rented the house in question for any activity.

Youssouf, in a statement he personally signed and titled, “Bodija Explosion: My own side of the Story,” and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, yesterday, said that though the incident was unfortunate, his activities as a miner were legal.

He said that though he resides in Ibadan, he had never rented or owned a house at Dejo Oyelese Avenue in Bodija where the incident happened.

He, therefore, promised to help the security agencies during further investigation into the sad incident.