IGP Orders Probe Into Abuja, Anambra Food Distribution Stampedes, Says Negligence a Criminal Offence

Following reports of the death of many, at different food distribution campaigns in Abuja and Anambra, the police inspector general, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a probe into the stampede at a food distribution event in both states.

At least ten people lost their lives and numerous others were hurt when food was given to old and vulnerable people at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.

In Okija, Anambra State, a charity drive resulted in the confirmed deaths of three people and the injuries of numerous others.

Following the instances, IGP Egbetokun said that it is illegal for people who distribute things to be careless.

The IGP ordered all police commissioners in the impacted states to look into the events, according to Nigeria Police Force (NPF) spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, who made this claim during a news conference in Abuja on Saturday.

“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.

He asked 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,” the spokesman said.

Reactions have continued to trail the multiple stampedes, with President Bola Tinubu cancelling his events in Lagos State.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said, “President Bola Tinubu cancelled all of his official events in Lagos today, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.”

In a time of happiness and festivity, we share the sorrow of our countrymen who have lost loved ones. Tinubu was cited as stating, “We pray for them to receive divine comfort and healing.”

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, blamed the incidents on institutional failure.

“While I will not cast blame but instead appreciate the organisers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society,” he wrote on X.

“The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.”