The House of Representatives has called for stronger safety measures following tragic stampedes in Abuja, Ibadan, and Okija.
The stampedes, which occurred between December 18 and December 21, 2024, resulted in the deaths of several innocent Nigerians, including children, and left many others injured. The incidents occurred during public events in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja, where overcrowding and poor crowd management led to the fatalities.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. He described the loss of lives as a painful reminder of the pressing need for better crowd control at public gatherings. “These tragic events underscore the importance of ensuring safety at all public events,” said Tajudeen. The Speaker also called for a thorough investigation to identify the causes and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The House’s call for stronger safety measures was contained in a statement issued by its spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., on Sunday. In the statement, Rep. Rotimi Jr. conveyed the House’s deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives and urged all relevant stakeholders to take immediate steps toward preventing such incidents in the future.
Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu also emphasized the urgency of stronger regulations for crowd safety. He noted that while Nigerians enjoy attending events, their safety should be prioritized above all else. “We must work together to ensure that these tragedies are not repeated,” Kalu stated, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families.
The incidents in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja resulted from severe overcrowding, where the capacity limits of the event venues were exceeded. According to reports, the events, including a charity function and a funfair, attracted large crowds, making it difficult to ensure safety. Many injured victims are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals, with their conditions varying in severity.
The House of Representatives has called on all relevant stakeholders to take immediate action in improving safety measures. The lawmakers urged security agencies, event organizers, and community leaders to collaborate in implementing better crowd management strategies. This includes ensuring security presence at public events and improving crowd control methods to avoid such disasters.
In response to the tragedy, the Inspector-General of Police issued a directive to event organizers. He emphasized the necessity of involving security agencies in planning and executing public events. He also warned that negligence in managing such events would be met with legal consequences under Nigerian law.
The House extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampedes. The lawmakers have expressed hopes for a swift recovery for the injured victims.
