- Threatens Action for Negligence
By Abiola Olawale
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into the stampede incidents that occurred during food distribution events in Abuja and Anambra State.
The New Diplomat reports that these tragic events resulted in the deaths of several individuals, with ten reported deaths in Abuja at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama and over twenty reported deaths in Okija, Anambra State.
Reacting to the tragic incidents, Egbetokun emphasized that the reported acts of alleged negligence by those responsible for distributing the palliative items is considered criminal.
This was contained in a statement issued by Egbetokun on Saturday.
The statement reads in part: “In light of these developments, the IGP has called on government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to work collaboratively towards establishing a comprehensive and organized framework for distributing palliatives.
“The IGP has hereby warned groups and organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked, as provided for in Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In addition, the IGP has encouraged the general public who would want to benefit from such distributions to tread with caution, prioritizing their safety, to avoid unforeseen calamities.”
It would be recalled that the two stampede incidents came after over 35 persons, mostly children lost their lives during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
