Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has said the Nigerian Police Force should be held accountable for the deaths of Nigerians during recent food stampedes in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States.
He made this statement on Friday while delivering a public lecture in memory of the late former Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in Akure, the state capital.
The senior lawyer stated that the Police had failed to fulfil their constitutional duties, leading to the deaths and injuries, and described the casualties as unacceptable.
Falana called on the government to compensate the families of those who lost loved ones due to these failures.
He said, “The deaths of 115 Nigerians in recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The Police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must compensate the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
Falana further called on the Nigerian government to address social insecurity, which is evident in the rising levels of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and illiteracy in the country.
The lawyer emphasised that without social security, physical security —i.e., the safety of lives and property — cannot be guaranteed.
Report had revealed that 35 children died at a holiday funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. While 29 people were declared dead, and 32 others were injured at a palliative distribution event in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.
In the Abuja stampede, 10 people were reportedly killed, and several others were injured at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on the same day.
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