Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged organizers of charity events to prioritize crowd management to prevent stampedes and deaths.
This call comes after a series of tragic incidents, including a charity event in Abuja where at least 10 people lost their lives, and a similar incident in Anambra that resulted in several deaths and injuries. Just earlier in the week, 35 people, mostly children, died in a stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A statement by the agency which was posted on its X handle said Umar “expressed concerns that such tragic outcomes undermine the goodwill behind charity events, turning acts of kindness into sources of grief due to poor planning and crowd control”.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, expressed concerns that poor planning and crowd control are undermining the goodwill behind charity events, turning acts of kindness into sources of grief.
Umar sympathized with the families of the deceased and those wounded in the stampedes, while also emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety during such activities to prevent recurring tragedies.
She urged event organizers to engage professionals and seek support from security agencies to manage crowds effectively.
President Bola Tinubu has also weighed in on the issue, canceling his official events in Lagos, for the day to offer condolences to the victims.
He called on authorities to address “operational lapses” by event organizers, stating, “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.”
NEMA has activated its zonal offices to respond to emergencies and provide support to first responders, particularly during the Yuletide season.
