- In response to tragic stampedes, some Nigerian states introduced safety measures for large events and palliative distributions
- Lagos mandated that all events expecting over 250 attendees register with state safety agencies, with penalties for non-compliance
- TheRadar compiled the stipulated safety measures from eight states aimed at ensuring safer public events
In response to a series of tragic stamped incidents at public events, several states across Nigeria have introduced stringent precautionary measures aimed at preventing future occurrences.
The latest tragedy occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Anambra State, where a stampede during a rice distribution event claimed the lives of 22 people and left 32 others injured. The event, organised by a philanthropist, saw large crowds scrambling for food.
On the same day, another stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in 10 fatalities, including children, as over 3,000 people surged forward in an attempt to receive palliatives.
Earlier, on December 19, 2024, a similar tragedy occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children were crushed to death at a Christmas funfair. The victims were trampled during a chaotic rush for free food items.
8 states announce safety rules
In light of these events, state governments are now outlining specific precautions for the distribution of palliatives.
TheRadar outlined eight states that have announced new safety protocols to prevent further loss of life during such events.
1. Lagos
During a media briefing on Sunday, December 22, Gbenga Oyerinde, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, along with his colleague, Gbenga Omotosho, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, and leaders of state safety commissions, emphasised the critical role of effective crowd control in avoiding future tragedies.
Under new regulations, the Lagos State Government has instructed that all events expecting over 250 participants must be registered with state safety agencies, a rule that will be enforced both during and after the Christmas season.
The state government made it clear that non-compliance with the directive would lead to consequences for event organisers.
“The Lagos State Government is seriously concerned about the stampede incidents in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja. Any individual, group, or organisation planning to distribute items or host large gatherings must obtain clearance from the state government and register with the safety commissions,” Omotosho stated.
He also highlighted that event organisers have the option to request ambulances from the state government for a nominal fee.
Oyerinde advised residents to contact the state’s toll-free emergency lines, 767 and 112, for swift support during crises.
Lanre Mojola, the Director-General of the Lagos Safety Commission, revealed that the registration process for large events has been simplified and made available online.
2. Ondo State
Ondo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, rolled out new crowd control guidelines for law enforcement, event organisers, and local authorities on Sunday.
Ajulo emphasised that the guidelines were developed by the constitutional and legal authority provided by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Ondo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015, and the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
The directives partially stated, “Law enforcement must assess risks for all public gatherings, considering factors like expected attendance, venue suitability, and potential security challenges.
“Also, organisers are required to inform local authorities of their events in advance, providing details such as the venue, expected crowd size, and timing.
“Adequate police and security personnel are to be assigned to events to monitor proceedings and prevent incidents. Others are event organisers and law enforcement must maintain open communication channels for real-time updates. Tools like CCTV cameras and drones may be used to monitor crowds.”
It added, “Events with over 300 participants must have on-site medical teams, ambulances, and emergency response plans. Organisers must ensure attendees have access to drinking water and mobile toilets.
“Events must be held in venues with multiple access points to allow for easy movement.
“Organisers and participants must comply with Nigerian laws, and violations will attract legal consequences.”
“These measures are designed to prevent avoidable tragedies. Our aim is to create a safer and more organised environment for public events in Ondo State.”
3. Anambra State
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has called for a more orderly and safe method of distributing relief materials to prevent future tragedies and loss of life.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Soludo expressed his grief over the incident and conveyed his sympathies to the families of the deceased.
“The event was with the noble intention of sharing relief materials to the less privileged during this festive season. However, the resulting tragedy underscores the urgent need for a more structured and safer approach to distributing such assistance to prevent stampede and loss of lives,” he stated.
He appealed to those engaged in charity work to give top consideration to the safety and well-being of the people they are helping.
“It is strongly advised that future distributions of relief materials be conducted in a more organised and decentralised manner, with adequate crowd control measures in place.
“This may include establishing multiple distribution points within the community to reduce overcrowding at a single location.
“Implement a system to prioritise vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children and people with disabilities; as well as employing trained personnel to manage crowds.
“Ensure orderly queues, provide assistance to those in need; and conduct public awareness to educate the public on safety protocols during such events,” he said.
4. Abia State
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has implemented measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the state.
In a Sunday statement released by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Governor's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Otti addressed the issue in a ‘Public Safety Alert,’ stating, “Organisers of any event that would require a large crowd of people, should get across to the Abia State Homeland Security or Local Government Authority for the necessary guide and support to ensure safety of attendees.”
The statement added, “The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, wishes to commiserate with the families and loved ones of victims of stampede that happened in Oyo, Abuja and Anambra.
“Following this frightening upsurge in cases of stampede being witnessed in different parts of the country, especially this festive period, as a result of challenges with crowd-control by organisers and participants in different events/programmes, the Governor wishes to call on organisers of all kinds of programmes that would require a reasonable crowd, to make sure they put in place all safety measures to avoid a stampede of any type that may lead to loss of lives.
“The government also wishes to strongly warn against any unethical practices like spraying or throwing of money, or gift items into a crowd of people, given its propensity to lead to a stampede.
“The government shall come down very hard on any person or group that ignores this safety directive.”
5. Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Government has implemented measures to prevent stampedes by decentralising the distribution of palliatives that attract large crowds.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, explained that local government chairmen are tasked with coordinating the distribution of palliatives to ensure crowds are spread out and no area is overwhelmed.
He said, “We have been sharing palliatives this season but we distribute them to the local governments. The LG chairmen distribute to villages. We are sending 20 bags of rice to every village.
“That way we are dissipating the crowd, so people are not gathering in large numbers. If they are gathering, they are gathering in their villages and it’s just a sizeable number of people who can gather in the village.
“So, this is our own logistics plan which has been operationalised for a long time now and it’s working for us.”
6. Kogi State
The Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, said, “The state government commenced the distribution of foodstuffs since last week to enable the citizens to enjoy their Christmas and New Year holidays.
“Catering for the welfare of the citizens is what we have been doing almost on a quarterly basis, so we have developed a template to ensure we do not harm the people we are seeking to help.
“We take the foodstuffs to each Local Government Area and from there, they take it to each ward and finally to each polling unit. By so doing, we deal with a very organised and manageable number of people.
“This is the reason we have never experienced such stampede when distributing food items in the state.”
7. Rivers State
Joseph Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communications in Rivers State, revealed that precautions had been set in place to avoid such tragic events in the state.
He said, “I’m sure that the states that these incidents happened, including the FCT, didn’t envisage that things would turn out that way, especially at this period of the year that people are celebrating.
“But for us as a government what we will do is to leverage on what has happened and forestall it should we have that situation. I believe strongly that we will have a better approach to it because our state is wonderful.”
8. Delta State
The Delta State Commissioner of Information, Ifeanyi Osuoza, said, “We are therefore calling on all those who wish to organise such charity events during this festive period to ensure and put in place, stricter measures in crowd management and control during large gatherings, as this is very important for safeguarding lives and prioritising the welfare and wellbeing, especially those of children who most of these events are meant for, at public events.”
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