Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, has ordered
an investigation into the stampede incidents that occurred in Oyo, Anambra, and
the federal capital territory.
In a statement on Saturday, Egbetokun warned organisers of
events that negligence on their part is criminal.
The IGP said the “lack of a well defined plan” for the
distribution of palliatives in the county has led to chaos and unnecessary
confrontations.
Egbetokun asked commissioners of police in the affected
states to “carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidents for
further legal actions”.
“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 statement reads.
“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.”
On Wednesday, over 35 persons, mostly children, lost their
lives during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
On Saturday, two stampede incidents occurred in the Ojika
community of Anambra and the Maitama area of Abuja during distribution of rice
and other relief materials.
Over 20 persons reportedly lost their lives in the Anambra
incident while 10 persons were confirmed dead in the Abuja incident.
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