The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has warned against indiscriminate and unorganised sharing of palliatives to crowds during this Christmas celebration.
The IGP raised serious concerns about the unorganised distribution of palliatives and relief items in the country during this festive period.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while briefing journalists on Saturday, said: “this warning follows a series of tragic incidents that highlight the urgent need for a more structured and effective approach to delivering aid to vulnerable communities and members of the public in general.”
It would be recalled that on December 18, 2024, a tragic incident had occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left many others critically injured.
Also, in the early hours of Saturday, the December 21, 2024, another tragedy struck at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, in a similar stampede that occurred during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals, which led to the death of 10 persons, leaving many others injured.
A similar incident also occurred at Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State, at a palliative distribution set up by a philanthropist identified as Obi Jackson, which led to the death of several individuals.
It was reported that at least 12 people were confirmed dead on Saturday morning in Okija town, Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, while scrambling for Christmas rice.
The Force PRO said, “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 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.”
The IGP also ordered the commissioners of the affected states to carry out thorough investigations into the ugly incidences for further legal actions.