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”.
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“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.”
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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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