Ibadan Stampede: Falana advocates compensation for victims’ families

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, has called on the federal government to compensate families of the victims of the stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra, saying it was not their wish to die but the country’s system failed them.

Speaking on Friday at a public lecture to mark the one-year demise of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Falana described the lapses recorded on the part of the Nigerian Police as clear evidence of sheer incompetence.

Addressing the gathering during the lecture titled: ‘Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability and Development: The Ondo State example’, he noted that the stampedes that occurred during the distribution of food items and other palliatives in the country were a national tragedy.

“The blame should also go to the Nigeria Police Force because of their sheer incompetence to protect those who lost their lives in those stampedes.

“If there is any noise that disturbed the neighbours, the police would come. If a few people gathered on the street in a tumultuous manner, the police would come.

“Under Section 83, subsection 4 of the Police Establishment Act, 2020, if there is a rally, public meeting, or state rally, the police shall provide adequate security for the people.

“It was a failure that led to the loss of lives in those stampedes. In traditional political meetings and protests, the law states that the police shall provide security so that hoodlums would not break into protests and cause mayhem.”

While calling for systemic reforms to protect the dignity and lives of the citizens, Falana advised the Nigerian Police to always take decisive steps to forestall such incidents.

He called on the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu to ensure there is compensation for the families of the victims.