Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered an investigation into the recent stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Abuja and Anambra State, which led to multiple fatalities and injuries.
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the first incident took place at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, where several people lost their lives waiting to receive palliatives.
Another unfortunate stampede occurred at a charity program organised by Chief Ernest Obiejesi, popularly known as Obijackson, a philanthropist and Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), leaving three confirmed dead and several others wounded.
A senior police officer who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, it’s true. The Commissioner of Police, Obono Itam, has already dispatched officers to the site.
“The stampede likely resulted from the crowd’s rush, but the command will begin an investigation immediately. It was a pure accident, and we deeply sympathize with the affected families.”
Reacting to the incidents, IGP Egbetokun stressed that proper precautions should have been taken to prevent such chaos.
He also condemned the negligence of those responsible for the distribution, deeming it a criminal act.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that the IGP had instructed police commissioners in the affected states to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedies.