- Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, spoke out on the recent multiple stampedes in Nigeria
- Fayose shared his experience of being overwhelmed by a crowd while attempting to distribute gifts, highlighting the importance of planning and caution
- The stampedes, which occurred during holiday events, have claimed dozens of lives, including at least 35 children in Ibadan and 20 others in Abuja and Anambra
A series of devastating incidents have marred the festive season in Nigeria, leaving dozens dead and many more injured. The tragedies occurred during events organised to bring joy and gifts to children and the less privileged.
On December 18, a stampede broke out at an event in Ibadan, resulting in the loss of at least 35 children's lives.
Eight suspects, including former Queen Naomi Silekinola Ogunwusi, Hamzat Oriyomi, the owner of Agidigbo FM, and the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun Ibadan Fasasi Abdullahi, were arrested and charged with felony, negligent act causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities. Five suspects were released on December 23, while others remain remanded in prison.
Tragedy struck again on December 21, with separate incidents occurring in Abuja and Anambra. At Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, 10 people lost their lives in a stampede while attempting to receive Christmas gifts. Similarly, 10 people died in Anambra while trying to collect Christmas bonuses.
Reacting to the incidents, online personality Isaac Fayoshe, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayoshe, took to social media to express his concerns.
Isaac Fayose's reaction
Isaac Fayose noted that the incidents highlight the widespread poverty in the country and called on the government to take action.
Fayose also shared his own experience of attempting to distribute gifts at Wuse market, only to be overwhelmed by a crowd of people. He advised those seeking to help others to plan carefully and exercise caution.
He stated; “ Stampede in Ibadan, 35 people gone. The woman that is just trying to help, to make people happy, in the process of this, 35 people died. Again in Abuja today at Holy Trinity Catholic Church stampede 10 people died again where Christmas food is being shared.
“In Anambra today again, 10 people died where Christmas rice and chicken is being shared. Now to give people or to call people together to share food for them is increasingly difficult.
“I went to Wuse market to give 10 thousand naire to at least 20 people, the way they tried to snatch out the money from me, I had to enter my car and left.
“All these happening shows there is big poverty in the country. Government please do something. This is a clear Indictation that there is clear hunger, and I will advise anyone that wants to help or share something that you need to organise it well or else your good deeds will turn into something else. You have to plan it because people are hungry.
“My heart goes to Ibadan, Anambra, Abuja, people that have lost their lives, their family, I pray God grants then peace. Merry Christmas and stay out of trouble and be careful doing good.”
Netizens’ reactions towards the stampede
Following the devastating stampede incidents, many Nigerians have taken to social media to share their thoughts, condolences, and opinions on the tragic events.
Here are a few comments below:
The series of tragic events has cast a pall over the festive season, with many calling for increased vigilance and safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
@Fiyinadenikecaroline commented: “Even in the heat of poverty and lack, imbibe the principle of decorum and contentment.....May There Souls Rest In Perfect Peace Amen”
@Adetunjiolubunmi posted: “O lagbara, People are hungry, People are wailing, People are traumatized, High rate of poverty, Sickness everywhere, Hospital beds are filled with different people with different ailments..... People are sad but just trying to cope. May God have mercy on us”
@prince_yinusa posted: “Within a space of 5 days, there was a stampede in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra leading to the death of over 80 hungry Nigerians who went to see if they could get food to eat. While billions of naira of the common wealth are been extravagantly lavished by the few Nigerian public office holders. It has never been this bad in this Country since the Civil War”
@Ajibolarotimi4 posted: “It was a good intention badly organised. A lot went wrong. I learnt parents started arriving the venue at 5am with their wards for the event at 10am. Many children were thrown by their parents over the fence. Some parents were said to have come with 19 children 🙄. It was crazy.”
@Oliwatoyinzoe posted: “That's why there is something called investigation and from my words, i am not saying that Justice should not be served if they are finally guilty, but my major point is remanding them in prison is not just the right way to handle the situation”
@akinwaletemida2 posted: “The lesson learnt from this is too just allow Nigerians to dey "enjoy" tinubu dey go, if not for their good intentions and if the government was competent with their duties, they wouldn't be in this mess”
The series of tragic events has cast a pall over the festive season, with many calling for increased vigilance and safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Police investigate alleged deaths of 32 children in Ibadan funfair stampede
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that popular Police have been investigating the deaths of 32 children in a stampede at a children's funfair organised by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi and Oriyomi Hamzat in Ibadan.
Over 7,500 attendees showed up for the event, leading to chaos and overcrowding, which resulted in the tragic stampede at the Islamic High School in Bashorun
The Oyo State Police Command called for better safety measures at large events increase.