Inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into the stampede that occurred in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Egbetokun in a statement released on Sunday, warned organisers of events that negligence on their part is a crime.
According to the IGP; the lack of a well-defined plan for the distribution of palliatives in the county has led to chaos and unnecessary confrontations.
Egbetokun further asked commissioners of police in the affected states to “carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidents for further legal actions”.
The statement reads, “In light of these developments, the IGP has called on government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to work collaboratively towards establishing a comprehensive and organized framework for distributing palliatives.”
“The IGP has hereby warned groups and organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked, as provided for in Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“In addition, the IGP has encouraged the general public who would want to benefit from such distributions to tread with caution, prioritizing their safety, to avoid unforeseen calamities.”
About thirty-five (35) people, mostly children, lost their lives during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Wednesday.
At least ten (10) people including children died in a stampede that occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja today, 21 December 2024.
An unconfirmed number of residents of Okija community in Anambra also died in a stampede during an event for the distribution of rice the same day.
