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, emphasised that collaboration with law enforcement agencies was crucial to safeguarding lives and ensuring that efforts to assist those in need do not lead to further distress.
The directive followed stampedes that occurred during food distribution exercises in Ibadan and Okija in Oyo and Anambra states, respectively, and in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which claimed 65 lives and left many others injured.
On Saturday in Okija, Anambra State, what was meant to be a Christmas palliative distribution turned tragic when 22 persons died while several 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.
These incidents followed last Wednesday’s stampede at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, where several children lost their lives and others injured during a holiday funfair celebration.
The Minister said the tragedies were deeply saddening and underscored the importance of ensuring proper crowd management during such charitable activities, especially during festive seasons.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the unfortunate incidents.”
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.”
Idris said the reforms, while repositioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth, were designed to uplift the lives of all Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable, without causing distress.
The Minister called for a collective sense of responsibility and urged citizens to unite and ensure that the Yuletide season was marked by peace, goodwill, and joy, devoid of preventable tragedies.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has offered prayers for victims of the tragic stampedes that have 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.”
He assured the affected families that 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,” he said. Sun