Tinubu cancels Lagos scheduled event over Abuja, Anambra stampede

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos on Saturday, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga two tragedies claimed many lives and left many others injured.

The President was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive residence in Ikoyi.
Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President Bola Tinubu cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.

Commiserating with the victims of the unfortunate incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, President Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately.

He noted the disturbing resemblance between the mishaps at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, and the tragic incident in Ibadan, Oyo State earlier this week.
He said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.

While praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the innocent Nigerians who died in the stampedes, President Tinubu wished a quick recovery to the injured.

He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.

‘‘In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,’’ President Tinubu said.
The President wished the Lagos State government, organisers of the Boat Regatta, themed ‘‘Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,’’ a successful and hitch-free festival.

Meanwhile, report has it that ten persons have been confirmed dead in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, on Saturday, 21st December 2024, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly persons.

The Report stated that the tragic event, which happened at about 6:30 am, claimed the lives of ten (10) individuals, including four (4) children, and left eight (8) others with varying degrees of injuries.

While four (4) of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are receiving medical care.
The FCT Police Command in a statement released by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed incident and sympathised with the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Also, some yet-to-be-confirmed number of persons are feared dead and others injured following a stampede that occurred at the gate of the Obijackson Centre, in Okija, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday.

The stampede occurred during the sharing of palliatives including rice, vegetable oil and money. It was gathered that victims were mostly women and children who were gathered at the gate, struggling to gain entrance amid a very large and uncontrollable crowd.

An unofficial source said among the victims, was a woman who slumped during the stampede and was rushed to the hospital, but it has yet to be confirmed if she survived or not.