By Joke Kujenya
THE TRAGIC deaths from stampedes in Abuja, Anambra and Oyo States have compelled President Bola Tinubu to cancel his official engagements in Lagos, including attending the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta.
At Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, a stampede on Saturday claimed ten lives, including children, and injured eight others.
Chaos erupted during a food distribution event attended by a large crowd.
In Okija, Anambra State, another stampede occurred at a rice distribution programme, leaving several people dead and many injured.
Local hospitals struggled to manage the influx of casualties as residents and officials called for better event safety planning.
On Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, about 35 children lost their lives due to chaos that erupted during their carnival funfair.
The President expressed his condolences, urging state governments and organisations to implement immediate crowd control measures.
He criticised the operational lapses that led to these tragedies and likened them to the earlier stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, which killed 35 children at a funfair.
President Tinubu cancelled his planned attendance at the Regatta, themed “Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,” where dignitaries and Lagos State white cap chiefs were already in attendance.
He prayed for the victims and insisted that organisers of public events prioritise safety protocols to prevent future mishaps.
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