Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, issued a stern warning on Saturday regarding the unorganized distribution of palliatives and relief items, urging greater caution during the holiday season. The warning follows several tragic stampedes across the country, including incidents in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A recent stampede at a children’s fun fair in Ibadan claimed the lives of at least 35 children, leaving several others critically injured. Another tragic incident occurred in Okija, Anambra State, where 20 people were killed during a rice distribution event on Saturday. In Abuja, a similar stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama resulted in an unspecified number of fatalities.
In a statement released by the Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP underscored the serious risks associated with unorganized events, such as food distributions and funfairs, which are often organized by individuals, NGOs, or groups without proper planning or crowd management.
Egbetokun stressed that such events could lead to further dangerous situations, particularly stampedes, and urged authorities to ensure proper coordination to safeguard public safety.
The IGP ordered the police commissioners in the affected states to conduct thorough investigations into the incidents and take necessary legal actions. He also extended his condolences to the grieving families and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
