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.
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