The Federal Government has clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not to blame for these unfortunate incidents.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed the nation, urging politicians to refrain from politicizing the tragedies.
The stampedes occurred during food distribution events in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija, leading to significant loss of life, including many children. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by these unfortunate incidents," Idris stated, expressing deep sympathy for the bereaved families.
Idris emphasized that similar occurrences have been recorded in past administrations and should not be linked to President Tinubu’s economic reforms. "It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration, as such, making any attempt to link these tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous," he asserted.
The Minister highlighted the importance of proper crowd management during charitable activities, acknowledging the noble intentions behind these events. He urged organizers to collaborate with police formations and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure effective crowd control and security measures.
President Tinubu, deeply saddened by the events, has ordered a thorough investigation to ascertain the causes of the stampedes and prevent future occurrences. "Mr. President has already directed that a thorough investigation be carried out with a view to ascertaining the immediate and remote causes of such tragic situations and to also avert the occurrence of this kind of situation going forward," Idris confirmed.
The recent stampedes have raised concerns about safety measures at charity events, especially during the Christmas season. In Abuja, a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church resulted in ten deaths, while another incident in Okija claimed three lives. Viral footage from the scenes showed the chaos and desperation as people scrambled for food and clothing items.
As Nigeria grapples with an economic crisis marked by surging inflation and a depreciating currency, the government faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of such tragedies.
The Minister called for unity and collective responsibility among citizens to ensure a peaceful and joyous Yuletide season, free from preventable tragedies.
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