Following a series of deadly stampedes at public events in Nigeria, several states are implementing stricter safety measures to prevent future tragedies. The stampedes, which occurred in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja during food distribution and festive celebrations, resulted in the deaths of 67 people, including 35 children.
In response to these incidents, the Lagos State Government has mandated that organizers of events with more than 250 attendees must register with state safety agencies and obtain clearance before proceeding. Failure to comply will result in sanctions.
Ondo State has also introduced comprehensive crowd control guidelines for law enforcement, event organizers, and local authorities. These guidelines emphasize risk assessment, advance notification of events, adequate security personnel deployment, and the availability of medical teams and emergency response plans.
Other states, including Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Kogi, have also taken measures to improve safety at public gatherings. These measures include decentralizing distribution points for relief materials, prioritizing vulnerable groups, and employing trained personnel for crowd management.
The Inspector General of Police has expressed concern over the stampedes and advised event organizers to involve the police in future events to ensure adequate security and crowd control.
The incidents have also sparked political debate, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticizing the government’s economic policies and calling for greater accountability. The PDP National Publicity Secretary described the stampedes as an “ugly testament” to the hardship faced by Nigerians and called for a review of policies that have negatively impacted the most vulnerable.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defended the government’s actions, stating that the stampedes were not a direct result of government policies but rather a failure of adequate planning and crowd control by event organizers.
The Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for greater safety measures at public events. They have also urged against politicizing the tragedies and called for unity and shared responsibility in preventing future incidents.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorneyโs Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victimโs dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victimโs vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Irish Child Killer Jerome Kavanagh Released After 30 Years Behind Bars
Jerome Kavanagh, one of Ireland's most notorious child killers, was released from Shelton Abbey Open Prison in Wicklow last week after serving more than three decades for a crime that shocked the nation. In February 1995, Kavanagh fatally cut the throat of five-year-old Ciaran Malone during a botched attempt to sexually assault the child's mother in their home in Caragh, County Kildare. The attack occurred on Saturday, February 11, when Kavanagh, wearing a balaclava to conceal his identity, forced his way into the neighboring Malone family home. In a letter read at his sentencing hearing in December 1995, Kavanagh confessed to murdering the child and stabbing his aunt during the failed attempt to assault Ciaran's mother, Mary. Judge Paul Carney made the unprecedented decision to have Kavanagh's confession letter read in court despite his guilty plea, stating, "It seems to […]
Costa Rica Grants Special Migratory Status to Deported Migrants from the U.S.
Costa Rica has granted a special migratory status to 85 migrants who were deported from the United States in February under the Trump administration, according to Omar Badilla, the country's immigration director, who announced it on Wednesday. Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Chรกvez's government agreed with the Trump administration to receive up to 200 migrants from Africa, Asia, and Europe, with the initial intention to repatriate them within weeks. However, Costa Rican authorities confirmed that not all migrants accepted repatriation. In response, the government issued a resolution on Monday establishing a special migratory category valid for 90 days, with an option to extend. "These people have freedom of movement anywhere within the country... the point of this resolution is not to force anybody to return to their country of origin," Badilla stated in a video shared with the press. Since […]
Vietnam Takes Action Against Export Fraud Amid US Tariff Concerns
According to a document reviewed by Reuters, Vietnam's trade ministry has issued a directive to combat illegal transshipment of goods to the United States and other trading partners. The directive is intended to avoid steep U.S. tariffs. The directive, dated and effective April 15, warned that trade fraud is likely to increase amid growing tensions caused by U.S. tariffs. This would make it "more complicated to avoid sanctions that countries will apply to imported goods" if fraud is not prevented. While the directive did not specifically name any countries where transshipment fraud might originate, Vietnam's imports from China account for nearly 40% of its total, and Washington has openly accused Beijing of using Vietnam as a transshipment hub to evade U.S. duties. Vietnam faces potential 46% "reciprocal" tariffs from the Trump administration, currently paused until July. If implemented, these tariffs […]
4-Year-Old Boy Among Three Killed in Easter Weekend Road Tragedies
A four-year-old boy, who had just celebrated his birthday over Easter weekend, was among three people who lost their lives in separate road incidents across Ireland during the holiday period. The child, named locally as Abdur Rehman, died after being struck by a car in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, shortly after 6:30 pm on Monday. He was treated at the scene before being transported to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Garda forensic investigators have begun examining the vehicle involved as part of their comprehensive investigation. Authorities are seeking witnesses, particularly those with camera or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident. Friends of the family, Faheem Khan and Navid Iqbal, revealed the child had celebrated his fourth birthday just days earlier. "He had his birthday party on Saturday, and there are just no […]
R&A Considering Turnberry’s Return as Open Championship Venue
The R&A would "love" to bring the Open Championship back to Trump Turnberry, but logistics rather than ownership are the primary concern, according to new chief executive Mark Darbon. A feasibility study has been commissioned to assess whether the Ayrshire venue and surrounding area can accommodate the massive crowds a modern Open attracts. BBC Sport reports the UK government has recently inquired about the R&A's position. Turnberry's iconic Ailsa Course last hosted the Open in 2009, five years before Donald Trump purchased the resort. Darbon acknowledged the R&A is "blessed to have such a wonderful pool of venues that can stage the Open Championship." "At Turnberry, we face some logistical and commercial challenges around the road, rail, and accommodation infrastructure," he explained. "We're doing some feasibility work around what it would look like to return to that venue and the […]
Teen Motorcyclist Dies in Fatal Dublin Crash
A teenager lost his life following a collision between his scrambler bike and a car in Dublin on Sunday evening. The male victim, in his late teens, sustained serious injuries when his scrambler motorbike collided with another vehicle in a housing estate near Citywest Avenue in west Dublin at approximately 8 pm. Emergency services rushed the teenager to Tallaght Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported in the incident. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conducted a technical examination of the scene, and the road has since reopened to traffic. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and requesting camera footage from road users who were traveling in the area between 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or […]
Be the first to leave a comment