Connect with us

News

Ibadan stampede, Okija Stampede:  A Preventable Tragedy, by Christian ABURIME

Published

on

11 Views

The recent stampede at Okija in Anambra State, where about 22 people as confirmed by the police, including the elderly, pregnant women, children and nursing mothers, tragically lost their lives while they scrambled for relief materials to celebrate Christmas, painfully reminds us of the dangers of unchecked crowds and the urgent need for better planning of public philanthropic events.

This heartbreaking incident, following similar recent tragedies in Ibadan and Abuja, also reflects the critical importance of prioritising safety and human life in all our endeavours, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations.

It is understandable that Nigerians are hard pressed by the prevailing economic exigencies in the country.

But the Okija stampede, triggered by the well-intentioned efforts of the Obi Jackson Foundation to distribute rice, oil, and more to the less privileged, highlights the inherent risks associated with large gatherings, particularly when resources are perceived to be scarce.

The desperation and anxiety that the palliatives may not go round often accompany such events, thus escalating into a chaotic situation, leading to tragic consequences.

Stampedes, by their very nature, are unpredictable and can quickly overwhelm even the most well-meaning organisers.

The sheer force of a moving crowd can cause severe injuries, crush victims, and cut off oxygen supply, leading to suffocation and even death.

In the Okija incident, the lack of crowd control measures, coupled with the overwhelming number of people struggling for palliatives, appears to have contributed significantly to the tragic outcome.

It is imperative that we learn from this incident and take proactive steps to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. First and foremost, prioritising safety cannot be overstated.

Organisers of public palliatives-sharing programmes must always prioritise the safety and well-being of beneficiaries above all else so that their noble intentions don’t turn into regrettable mistakes that will haunt them or even lead to legal consequences.

Safety protocols include conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing robust crowd control measures, and ensuring adequate medical personnel are on standby.

Naturally, decentralised distribution of relief materials through multiple, smaller distribution points can also significantly reduce overcrowding and mitigate the risk of stampedes.

Special attention should be given to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities.

These individuals should be prioritised and provided with designated areas and assistance, different from the general crowd.

And of course, public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate the public ahead about the importance of orderly conduct during such events.

It is reassuring that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has responded empathetically and taken a crucial step through the initiation of an investigation into the Okija incident.

The government will also be taking proactive measures to prevent future occurrences. This may include issuing clear guidelines for the distribution of relief materials, providing training on crowd control and emergency response, and working closely with local communities and civil society organisations to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

In all, Ndi Anambra are urged to exercise caution and prioritise their safety during this festive season and at any public event involving either the distribution of relief materials, funfair or parties.

Let us be mindful of our surroundings, avoid pushing and shoving, and follow the instructions of designated personnel.

Let us learn from the Okija tragedy to create a safer and more orderly society for all. Remember, only the living can celebrate. Merry Christmas.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Police Celebrates Arrest of 26 Suspects in Benue killings 

” We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria. “

Published

on

By

6 Views

All 26 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday announced that 26 persons who actively participated in the killings in Yelwata Community, Benue State, on June 13, 2025, have been arrested.

IGP Egbetokun also confirmed that the bandits who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by police operatives when they attacked the police station in the community.

The IGP said, “As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., armed militias invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State., they killed and maimed any soul on sight.

“The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, set several houses ablaze and destroyed other properties and people’s means of livelihood.

It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.

“I am pleased to inform you today that twenty-six (26) persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.

“All 26 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.

“As I speak, legal proceedings are being finalised, and they will be charged to court without delay.

” We will go after anyone—planner or executor—who attacks any community in Nigeria.

We will leave no stone unturned until every single individual responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians is arrested and brought to justice.,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

How Lagos digital house numbering system works

Babajide explained that the digital plates, with QR codes and local government colour codes, would boost emergency response, postal services, and urban planning efforts.

Published

on

By

8 Views

The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Identity Project, a digital house-numbering initiative aimed at enhancing property identification and service delivery across the state.

Dr Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System, said the initiative would significantly improve property identification and public service efficiency.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during the unveiling of the project in Alausa, Lagos.

Babajide explained that the digital plates, with QR codes and local government colour codes, would boost emergency response, postal services, and urban planning efforts.

“This project is about providing Lagosians with world-class services they truly deserve.

“We’ve had issues ranging from tax evasion to untraceable addresses. This new digital system is the solution,” Babajide said.

He said that scanning the QR code on a building would grant access to essential property information for residents and relevant stakeholders.

Continue Reading

Crime

JUST IN: Russia attacks Ukraine, kill 11

Published

on

23 Views

Russian missiles on Tuesday crashed into schools, hospitals and kindergartens in central Ukraine, killing at least 11 and wounding dozens more in a region coming under mounting pressure.

The attacks came as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Netherlands to meet with allies on the sidelines of the NATO defence alliance summit.

He is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss more sanctions on Russia and arms procurement, a senior Ukrainian source told AFP.

Emergency services in the Dnipropetrovsk region, now threatened by Russian battlefield advances, published photos of rescuers helping civilians covered in blood after the attack.

“This is not a fight where it’s hard to choose a side. Standing with Ukraine means defending life,” Zelensky said after the attack.

Ukraine’s foreign minister said the strikes amounted to a “rejection of peace” from Russia, which has rejected US and Ukrainian ceasefire proposals.

“It is a matter of credibility for allies to step up pressure on Moscow,” Andriy Sybiga said.

Ukrainian police said 11 residents of Dnipro were killed and two more were left dead in the nearby town of Samar. More than 100 people were wounded, according to a statement.

Police added that an administrative building, shops, educational facilities and a children’s hospital were damaged.

– Toddler killed –

Russian forces, which invaded Ukraine just over three years ago, recently claimed to have reached the border of the central industrial Dnipropetrovsk region, to gain a foothold there for the first time of the war.

The attacks on Dnipro city, the region’s capital, came just hours after deadly overnight drone attacks.

Three people including a toddler were killed earlier in the northeastern Sumy region that borders Russia during the barrage, local officials said.Oleg Grygorov, head of the Sumy region’s military administration, said a five-year-old boy was pulled from the rubble of a destroyed house.

“The strike took the lives of people from different families. They all lived on the same street. They went to sleep in their homes but the Russian drones interrupted their sleep — forever,” he said.

One man died next to his spouse in a Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s western border region of Belgorod, the region’s governor said, adding that the woman survived the attack.

Another drone had targeted a residential building in Moscow overnight, wounding two people, including a pregnant woman, the local authorities said.

Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine and claims to have annexed four Ukrainian regions as its own since launching its invasion in 2022 — in addition to Crimea, which it captured in 2014.Kyiv has accused Moscow of deliberately sabotaging peace talks to prolong its full-scale offensive and to seize more territory.

AFP

Continue Reading

Trending