A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, on Sunday identified poverty and criminal negligence as the main cause of the stampede that has led to the loss of Nigerians recently.
In a statement, the human rights lawyer also called for justice for the dead and injured victims, while chronicling some incidents that involved the distribution of food and cash distribution in the country.
He described the events as a national tragedy and called for systemic reforms to protect the dignity and lives of the citizens.
“There is also a sociological dimension to this national shame of episodic loss lives in stampedes triggered by mass hunger in the land,” Falana said.
“This should not be ignored. It is the unpardonable lack of respect for the dignity of the poor on the part of the members of the middle and upper classes involved in charity.”
He argued that organisers of charitable events should apply decency and demonstrate humanity while distributing food or cash items to the vulnerable.
To the senior lawyer, no member of the elite invites others to lunch by throwing the food. The class prejudice inherent in the humanitarian culture in Nigeria is worthy of reflection.
“Since the individuals whose criminal negligence led to the avoidable tragedies are members of the ruling class the federal government and state governments have not gone beyond sending condolence messages to the survivors and the family members of the casualties.
“Therefore, the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond has resolved to mobilise lawyers to institute civil suits to ensure that the survivors and family members of the casualties are adequately compensated,” he added.
In the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the federal capital territory (FCT).
While over 35 persons, mostly children, died on Wednesday during a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, 10 people died on Saturday during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama area of Abuja.
Many people had gathered at the church premises for an event to distribute relief items, just as the carnival organisers reportedly offered free food items to the first 5,000 attendees.
On Saturday, at least 20 people reportedly died in the Ojika community of Anambra during a stampede that occurred at a rice and gift-sharing event.