Oyo State government on Tuesday disclosed that it would compensate the victims of the Thursday’s clash that happened between the security operatives and butchers at Bodija Market.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr.Toye Arulogun made this known during a meeting with the butchers and some other associations at Ibadan Central Abattoir located at Amosun Village.

Comissioner for Information,Tourism and Culture,Mr.Toye Arulogun while addressing the meeting attendants

Arulogun revealed that the government is still compiling the list of the affected victims as a result of the conflicting figures on the number of casualties which has necessitated the need for thorough and proper investigation to know the rear and the exact number of the casualties.

He however stated that the government will compensate the families of those who lost their lives after the real figure of the casualties have been established.

Cross section of the attendants at Amosun Village

Arulogun said “The state government has done it before, even when some Bodija traders were killed in the North which was outside the state. So, the government will compensate the victims after investigations. There are still conflicting figures; the Police said two were killed while some people are saying five”.

“We need to know the exact number of the people who lost their lives during the incident so that the government will provide a kind of compensation to their families”.

Secretary of the Nigeria Butchers Union,Mr.Lateef Olagoke during the meeting

In the same vein, the Secretary of the Nigeria Butchers Union (NBU) of Oyo State, Mr.Lateef Olagoke affirmed that there is a cordial relationship between the butchers and cattle breeders in the state.

He added that the prices of meat will not be increased. “There will not be increment in the prices of meat because people have alternative to meat and we don’t want our market to go down, that is why we will not increase the prices. There is no crisis between us and cattle breeders and sellers be it Hausa, Fulani or Beribe. We are friends”.

The executive Secretary of Bureau of investment Promotion and Public Private Patnerships in Oyo State,Mr Yinka Fatoki addressing the audience

Also, Basorun Adekunle, Chairman of Local Council of Development Area while fielding questions from CEOAfrica correspondent said “The relocation of the butchers is a welcome development. The hygienic condition of the Bodija abattoir is not presentable and that is why Oyo State government has moved the abattoir to this place. This abattoir is the largest in West Africa and it is well-equipped”.

Chairman of Aarelatoosa,Basorun Adekunle Oladeji during an interview with CEOAfrica

When asked about how the abattoir will be maintained, Adekunle opined that the government is proposing a committee that will be named “Ibadan Abattoir Company Ltd. which will include Local government chairmen, investors and members of Oyo state government who will see to the affairs of the abattoir.

Butchers at Bodija Market abattoir