The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a statement condemning the Federal Government in the light of incidents of tragic stampede that occurred in Anambra and Abuja on Saturday, resulting in multiple casualties.
In a statement issued on Saturday via its official X account, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) expressed concerns regarding what it called an alleged failure of Nigerian authorities to fulfill their obligations to safeguard citizens’ rights to life and to ensure an adequate standard of living.
The organization also condemned the alleged ongoing neglect of public welfare by government officials, asserting that their actions have perpetuated poverty and imposed undue hardship on millions of Nigerians.
The statement reads in part: “Nigerian authorities and corrupt politicians are failing to uphold their obligations to protect people’s rights to an adequate standard of living and life.
“They are entrenching poverty and inflicting unnecessary misery on millions of Nigerians. Nigeria deserves better than this.”
The New Diplomat reports that in the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In Oyo state, over 35 persons, mostly children died on Wednesday during a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
In Abuja, ten people died on Saturday during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.
On the same day, at least 20 people reportedly died in the Ojika community of Anambra during a stampede that occurred at a rice and gift-sharing event.
