STAMPEDES: FALANA BLAMES POLICE, URGES FG TO COMPENSATE VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has blamed the Nigerian Police Force for the recent deaths resulting from food stampedes in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States.
Speaking on Friday at a public lecture in Akure, Ondo State, in honor of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Falana criticized the Police for neglecting their constitutional responsibilities, which he said contributed to the tragic incidents.
The senior lawyer described the loss of lives as unacceptable and urged the government to provide compensation to the families of the victims.
He said, “The deaths of 115 Nigerians in recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The Police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must compensate the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
Falana further called on the Nigerian government to address social insecurity, which is evident in the rising levels of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and illiteracy in the country.
The lawyer emphasised that without social security, physical security —i.e., the safety of lives and property — cannot be guaranteed.
Recall that 35 children died at a holiday funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. While 29 people were declared dead, and 32 others were injured at a palliative distribution event in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.
In the Abuja stampede, 10 people were reportedly killed, and several others were injured at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on the same day.
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