Following previous occurrences that have resulted in the deaths of scores of Nigerians, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has issued a warning against the unplanned distribution of relief supplies and palliatives during this holiday time.
On Saturday, December 21, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force’s public relations officer, released a statement from the IGP that included the warning.
He expressed alarm over the preventable incidents and urged immediate action to preserve Nigerian lives, particularly those of the old and the youth. “A number of tragic incidents that highlighted the urgent need for a more structured and effective approach to delivering aid to vulnerable communities and members of the public in general” led to the warning, he said.
At least 35 children were killed and numerous others were gravely injured in a stampede at a children’s fun fair in Ibadan, Oyo State, on December 18, according to Egbetokun.
Another rush happened at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, while food was being distributed to elderly and vulnerable people. Ten people were killed in the tragedy, while numerous others were injured.
On the same day, a similar occurrence that resulted in the deaths of multiple people took place at a palliative handout organised by benefactor Obi Jackson in Okija, Ihiala Local Government, Anambra State. Three people have been officially declared dead as of right now, and numerous injured people have been sent to different hospitals for proper care.
The IGP urged government representatives, community leaders, and non-governmental groups to cooperate in order to create a thorough and well-organised framework for palliative care distribution in light of these changes.
In accordance with Section 196 of the Penal Code and Section 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the IGP cautioned organisations and planners of similar events to make sure security agencies are involved since their carelessness is illegal and will not be tolerated.
In order to prevent unanticipated disasters, he advised the general population who would wish to gain from such distributions to exercise prudence and put their safety first.
The IGP expressed sympathy for the victims’ families while directing the Commissioners of the impacted states to conduct in-depth investigations into these unsightly incidents in order to pursue additional legal action.