The Centre for Public Accountability, a prominent civil society organisation, has demanded a full public inquest from the governments of Oyo, Anambra, Bauchi, Nasarawa states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, and other relevant authorities into the tragic stampedes that have recently occurred across various states, resulting in the loss of innocent lives.
The organisation lamented that the incidents, which took place in Ibadan, Oyo, Abuja, Bauchi, Keffi, Nasarawa, and Okija, Anambra State, have left a trail of devastation and grief.
In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its director of publicity, Dr Karim Adegboyega, the group called for an urgent and comprehensive public inquiry into these stampedes.
According to them, “The tragic events include the loss of 35 children’s lives at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, 10 fatalities during a church-organized charity event in Abuja, 22 deaths at a food distribution event in Anambra, four women killed in Bauchi while scrambling for n5,000, and the crushing of two students in Keffi, Nasarawa State, during a chaotic rush for free bags of rice.”
The group, which praised the swift actions of the Ondo State government in implementing practical crowd management directives that the state’s attorney general issued to forestall such incidents, which have been acknowledged and now adopted by several other states, stressed the need for immediate and enforceable safety measures, including the involvement of trained humanitarian professionals and security agencies at such events.
CPA emphasised the necessity for thoroughly investigating these stampedes’ immediate and root causes.
It stated that a holistic approach is required to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
However, the group also faulted the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his recent remarks regarding the ongoing case against the ex-Queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Ogunwusi, and prominent radio presenter and founder of Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat.
The group criticised the governor’s statement, suggesting an attempt to influence the justice process.
“Without undermining the grief of the families of the children who tragically lost their lives, we condemn the politicisation of this tragedy and state that it is irresponsible to use this incident to settle political scores.
“We understand that no amount of compensation can bring back the lives lost, but it is crucial to honour their memory, ensure justice, and prevent future tragedies. The government must implement stringent crowd control measures across the country, as we recognise that such incidents will not deter future distribution of relief materials,” they added.
