Shettima describes stampedes as national disaster
The federal government has directed individuals and organisations planning distribution events to liaise with the police and other law enforcement agencies for effective crowd control and security measures.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who issued the order in a statement, yesterday – Sunday, December 22 – emphasised that collaboration with law enforcement agencies is crucial to safeguarding lives and ensuring that such efforts to assist those in need do not lead to any disaster.
The directive followed stampedes that occurred during food distribution exercises in Ibadan and Okija in Oyo and Anambra States and Abuja, the FCT, which resulted in the death of 65 people, while many others sustained different degrees of injury.
On Saturday in Okija, Anambra State, what was meant to be a Christmas palliatives-distribution event turned tragic when 22 persons died while many others were injured.
On the same day in Abuja, another tragedy struck when 10 persons died during an annual Christmas food-sharing event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama.
The two incidents on the heels of last Wednesday’s stampede at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, where some 35 children lost their lives while many others were injured during a holiday funfair celebration.
The Minister described the tragedies as deeply saddening, explaining that proper crowd management during such charitable activities, especially during festive seasons, is most important.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the unfortunate incidents,” he said.
While acknowledging the noble intentions of the organisers seeking to bring relief to vulnerable members of society, the minister also appealed to politicians and other stakeholders to refrain from politicising the unfortunate incidents, stressing that those tragic events were in no way connected to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s economic reforms.
“It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration, as such, making any attempt to link the tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous.”
The Minister called for a collective sense of responsibility and urged citizens to unite and ensure that the Yuletide season is marked by peace, goodwill, and joy, devoid of preventable tragedies.
In the meantime, Vice President Kashim Shettima has offered prayers for the souls of the victims of the tragic stampedes that claimed multiple lives across the country, describing the incidents as a national tragedy.
In his condolence message, Shettima expressed deep sorrow over the losses and offered prayers and heartfelt condolences.
“I am extremely saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives. My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
“I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation.
“This is not just a loss for the individual states; it is a loss for the entire nation. May the Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed,” the Vice President said.
He assured the affected families that the federal government would provide necessary support during this difficult period.
“We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this difficult period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance they need.
“We have directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to the affected families. To those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, their recovery is our priority, and we will stand with them through this challenging time,” Shettima said.
