By Adenike Lawal
The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have condemned the recent spate of deadly stampedes across Nigeria, calling for immediate action to prevent future tragedies.
The incidents, which occurred during food and cash distribution events in Abuja, Ibadan, and Anambra, claimed dozens of lives, including children, and left many injured.
In Abuja, at least 10 people died at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, while similar stampedes in Ibadan and Anambra resulted in 35 and 22 deaths, respectively.
Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, Chairman of the House Committee, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged the development of comprehensive crowd management protocols.
He emphasized that such guidelines are essential for ensuring the safety of vulnerable citizens during large-scale charity events.
The committee pledged legislative action to enforce these measures and called on state and local emergency authorities to take immediate steps to address the issue.
CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh decried the tragedies, describing them as a “painful reminder of life’s fragility.”
He called for greater compassion and coordination in organizing public events, urging Nigerians to prioritize safety and unity.
CAN also emphasized the importance of learning from these disasters to prevent further loss of life.
Both bodies stressed the need for collaboration among event organizers, security agencies, and crowd management experts to ensure humanitarian efforts are conducted safely and effectively.
As the nation mourns, they reiterated their commitment to safeguarding lives and promoting measures that honor the memory of those lost.
