The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed the Commissioners of Police in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate the tragic stampedes that occurred recently in Maitama, Abuja, and Okija, Anambra State.
The incidents, which were linked to the distribution of palliative aid, have raised serious concerns about the safety of such events.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, investigations revealed that the organizers of the palliative distributions in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija did not request security protection from the local police. This oversight has led to several deadly incidents.
In a statement titled “IGP Warns Against Unauthorized Distribution of Palliatives and Funfairs,” ACP Adejobi highlighted the growing problem of poorly organized aid distributions during the festive season. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has raised serious concerns about the unorganized distribution of palliatives and relief items in the country during this festive period,” he said.
Tragedy struck on December 18, 2024, in Ibadan, Oyo State, when a stampede at a children’s event killed at least 35 children and injured many others. Just days later, on December 21, 2024, a similar incident occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, during a food distribution.
This stampede claimed the lives of 10 individuals, with many others left injured. Additionally, in Okija, Anambra State, another stampede resulted in the deaths of at least three people, with several others hospitalized.
The IGP expressed deep concern over the lack of organization in these palliative events, which have led to chaotic scenes, long lines, and violent confrontations. He emphasized the importance of planning and coordination to avoid such tragedies.
“The lack of a well-defined plan for distributing palliatives has resulted in chaos, leading to long lines and unnecessary confrontations among citizens seeking assistance,” he noted.
Egbetokun has called on government officials, community leaders, and NGOs to collaborate in creating a safer and more organized framework for future palliative distributions. He also warned organizers that failure to involve security agencies in such events would not be tolerated. He stressed that negligence in this regard is a criminal offense under Nigerian law.
