Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has blamed the Nigeria Police for the stampedes that led to the tragic loss of lives in several states across Nigeria.
Falana, who was speaking at a public lecture on Friday, expressed his outrage over the fatal incidents that occurred in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resulting in approximately 70 deaths.
The stampedes, which happened during food distribution and the provision of palliatives, have been described as national tragedies.
In his speech, Falana condemned the Nigeria Police for their failure to ensure the safety of citizens at public gatherings.
“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,” he stated.
Falana pointed out that the police are constitutionally mandated to protect citizens during public events, including food distributions and rallies.
He referred to Section 83, Subsection 4 of the Police Establishment Act, 2020, which mandates the police to provide adequate security during rallies and public meetings to prevent chaos.
He criticized the police for not taking proactive measures to avert the stampedes, which ultimately resulted in the loss of lives.
In his call for accountability, Falana emphasized the importance of systematic reforms within the police force to prevent such incidents in the future.
He urged the police to take decisive actions in managing public events, ensuring the safety of participants and preventing dangerous situations.
Furthermore, Falana urged the Nigerian government to compensate the families of the victims, holding the authorities accountable for the negligence that led to the fatalities.
“It is the management of protest and public meetings in our country that is the problem. Therefore, the federal government must pay compensation to the families of those who lost their lives due to the failure and negligence of the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
From Opera News.source: Daily Trust
