By Joy Yesufu
President Bola Tinubu announced the cancellation of all his official events in Lagos on Saturday, where he is spending the Christmas holidays, due to the tragic stampede incidents in Abuja and Anambra State that resulted in several deaths.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command reported that around ten bodies were recovered from a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, with numerous individuals hospitalized.
In Anambra State, latest figures indicate that at least 20 residents of the Okija community lost their lives during a rice distribution event.
In a statement from his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families.
He was scheduled to attend the Boat Regatta at his Ikoyi residence but canceled his appearance after receiving briefings on the tragedies.
“Commiserating with the victims of these unfortunate incidents, President Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to enforce stringent crowd control measures immediately,” Onanuga stated.
He noted the alarming similarities between the recent stampedes in Abuja and Anambra and the previous tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier in the week.
“Local and state authorities must not tolerate operational lapses by organizations involved in charitable and humanitarian activities,” Tinubu emphasized while prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who died.
He wished swift recovery to the injured, even as he he reiterated that such tragedies are preventable if event planners adhere to necessary safety protocols.
