The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a probe into the stampede at a food distribution event in Abuja and Anambra State.
At least ten persons died and many others were injured during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
Three persons were also confirmed dead and several others were wounded in a philanthropic drive in Okija, Anambra State.
In the wake of the incidents, IGP Egbetokun said negligence on the part of those distributing items is criminal.
At a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Muyiwa Adejobi quoted the IGP as mandating all police commissioners in the affected states to probe the incidents.
“The IGP has ordered the Commissioners of the affected states to carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidences for further legal actions,” Adejobi said.
He asked government officials, groups, individuals, community leaders, and non-governmental bodies to work “collaboratively towards establishing a comprehensive and organized framework for distributing palliative”.
“The IGP has hereby warned groups and organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies as negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked, as provided for in Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the spokesman said.
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