Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated on Sunday that the primary causes of the stampede that has recently claimed the lives of Nigerians are poverty and criminal negligence.
Justice for the deceased and injured victims was another demand made by the human rights attorney.
In addition to calling for justice for the deceased and injured victims, the human rights attorney detailed other incidence involving the nation’s food and cash distribution in a statement.
He referred to the incidents as a national tragedy and demanded structural changes to save the lives and dignity of the populace.
Falana stated, “This national shame of episodic loss of life in stampedes triggered by mass hunger in the land also has a sociological dimension.”
“We must not overlook this. It is the middle-class and upper-class individuals who work in charity who exhibit an intolerable disregard for the dignity of the impoverished.”
He maintained that when giving food or cash to those in need, organizers of charitable events have to act humanely and with dignity.
According to the senior lawyer, no member of the elite throws lunch for others. The class prejudice inherent in the humanitarian culture in Nigeria is worthy of reflection.
“Since the individuals whose criminal negligence led to the avoidable tragedies are members of the ruling class the federal government and state governments have not gone beyond sending condolence messages to the survivors and the family members of the casualties.
“Therefore, the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond has resolved to mobilise lawyers to institute civil suits to ensure that the survivors and family members of the casualties are adequately compensated,” he added.
In the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the federal capital territory (FCT).
Ten people were killed in a stampede inside the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama neighbourhood of Abuja on Saturday, while more than 35 people—mostly children—were killed in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, on Wednesday.
Just as the funfair operators allegedly gave away free meals to the first 5,000 people who arrived, a large crowd had assembled at the church grounds for an event to give humanitarian supplies.
According to reports, a stampede during a rice and gift-sharing celebration in the Ojika community of Anambra on Saturday claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals.
