Inside Nigeria
IGP Orders Probe of Abuja, Okija Food Distribution Stampedes
...As several die and many injured at two Yuletide charity events
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a probe into the stampede at food distribution events in Abuja and Anambra State that resulted in several fatalities, with many injured.
At the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, at least 10 persons died and several got injured during the distribution of foodstuffs to vulnerable and elderly people in the spirit of yuletide.
In Okija, Anambra State, three persons died and several other were injured during a philanthropic activity by a renowned philanthropist in the town where palliatives were distributed to help citizens cushion the hardship induced by the gruelling economic situation in the country, as well as to celebrate Christmas.
As Nigeria’s continue to mourn the dead, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun fingered negligence on the part of the organisers of the charitable events.
The IGP described the alleged negligence as criminal.
This was the core of a press conference addressed in Abuja, on Saturday, by the Police Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP.
Adejobi quoted the IGP as having mandated police commissioners in the affected states to scrupulously investigate the incidents.
“The IGP has ordered the Commissioners of the affected states to carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidences for further legal actions,” Adejobi said.
The police spokesman implored government officials, groups, individuals, community leaders, and non-governmental bodies to work “collaboratively towards establishing a comprehensive and organized framework for distributing palliative”.
“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.”
