IF the tragic incidents in which no less than 57 lives were lost during the sharing of food and palliative items in three separate incidents in three different states shows anything, it is the fact that the slip-shod manner in which things are done by the country’s elite cannot but lead to devastating results. In Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija, Anambra State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, lives were lost as people struggled to obtain rice and other items being distributed by certain philanthropic individuals. The scenes were chaotic as the surging crowds that had gathered to obtain the palliatives got out of control, leading to the trampling to death of both children and adults at the separate venues.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, the death of 35 children occurred on Wednesday, December 18, when participants rushed to gain access to the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, the venue of the event reportedly organised by the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, and an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Mr Oriyomi Hamzat. The victims were trampled and killed while trying to break through the main gate of the school. It was reported that provision had been made by the organisers for 5,000 children but the number of people that turned up for the event was well over 7, 500. Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, sympathised with the parents whose joy had suddenly been turned to mourning, assuring that the state government had taken immediate action to prevent further loss of lives. Subsequently, the organisers of the event were arraigned in court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, causing death by criminal negligence, endangering public safety, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities at the event, and remanded in prison. Also, the FCT police arrested some officials of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, over the stampede that killed 10 people during the distribution of food items at the church’s premises.
The incidents are, to say the least, unfortunate. We commiserate with the families of the victims and hope that the survivors get all the care they need. In the Ibadan case, in particular, innocent children who were meant to be given gifts were crushed to death due to no fault of theirs. The tragedies are underlined by the widespread poverty in the land and the failure of the organisers to put in adequate security checks at the venues. Given the desperation in the land, they should have collaborated with the security agencies and ensured a hitch-free distribution of the Christmas gifts. A look at similar incidents in the past, including the stampede that occured during the sale of rice at reduced prices by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos in February this year, an occasion during which seven people died, shows clearly that the organisers underestimated the poverty and desperation in the land. It is a no-brainer that when large crowds are expected at events, proper arrangements need to be made to save lives.
In the tragic incidents that happened recently, the organisers should have used enough volunteers and ensured that the propensity of people to rush at and create chaos over free food and money was significantly curbed. There were apparently better arrangements during similar events across the country where public-spirited individuals gave out foodstuff, money and other items, including tricycles, as part of the Christmas festivities. At an event in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, people were reportedly given identification tallies and asked to come to the distribution venue the following morning to collect the freebies that were given out.
The death of 35 children in Ibadan and the subsequent tragic events in Anambra and the FCT reflect the post-hoc frenzy on the part of the elite in the country in terms of organisation and getting things done. How, for instance, could the organisers of the Ibadan event not put in place the necessary structure that would prevent a stampede among thousands of children expected at a fun party? The police and other security agencies only arrived at the site of the event in the aftermath of the stampede and deaths. This is a terrible way of doing things. It is not out of place to believe that the elite in Nigeria would rather exploit the poverty of the people for their various ends rather than treating people with necessary and accustomed dignity and humane consideration. This wrong attitude has to change for stampede deaths to be erased over time. We expect the government to lead the way in projecting how to make adequate preparations for crowd during events and prevent stampedes and unnecessary deaths. In this regard, we expect that, going forward, the government will insist on certain minimum conditions for those intending to distribute food and other gift items to people during the Yuletide, especially those intent on staging large-scale events.
Read Also: Tinubu’s reforms not responsible for tragic food stampedes —FG
To be sure, while not giving the government a pass over the distressing economic situation in the country that has rendered millions of people vulnerable and desperate, we acknowledge the place of philanthropy in the social organisation, including faith-based acts of giving. It is not wrong to give, whether in fulfilment of personal wishes or in adherence to the articles of faith. But the organisers of philanthropic events must ensure that adequate security arrangements are put in place to minimise, if not totally eliminate, mishaps. They have a duty not just to give but to give responsibly and safely. Anyone going on radio and announcing for days on end that there will be giveaways on a particular date should anticipate surging crowds and make proper arrangements to contain them.
