By Adewole Kehinde
A friend called me last night to ask if the police must be held responsible for stampedes. He went on to say I should Google the title, “Police must be held responsible for stampedes.” I saw that the statement was credited to a renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana SAN.
“The deaths of 115 Nigerians in the recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
The legal luminary stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability, and Development: The Ondo State Example during the maiden edition of the Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome) in Akure, the state capital, in honour of the late former governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The police’s primary responsibilities include safeguarding lives and properties, serving the community, protecting innocent people, keeping peace, justice, and equality, and ensuring the right of everyone to liberty.
I totally disagree with Femi Falana SAN that the Nigeria police must be held responsible for the stampedes recently recorded across the country, stressing that the police failed to protect the people.
In the case of the Ibadan stampede, I was informed that the police personnel were to resume by 8 am to protect the venue, Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, which was to kick start by 10 am.
I would like Femi Falana SAN to read the narration of Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and conclude if the Police should be held responsible
‘A day before the funfair, I inspected the venue to ensure everything was in place.
“Prophetess Naomi was there and said the place was more spacious than they wanted to use. I asked about the security arrangement, and she said the security would be there by 8 am.
“I told her and the team that Ibadan is different from the other places they have been using, so I promised to give her 200 boys who would give out tickets to the children.
“She didn’t plan to use tickets initially. I arranged for 5500 tickets to be printed. The following day, I got to the venue at about 5:45 am. I saw a lot of crowd. All roads were blocked. Mothers have started throwing their kids over the fence.
“The program was scheduled to start at 10 am, and security men were expected at 8 am. I started begging everybody to go back home. They refused to listen to me.
“Over 2000 mothers threw their kids over the fence as of 5:45 am. I was told they had been throwing their kids since 4 am. Even though we were expecting 5000 kids, Naomi rented 7,000 chairs because I told her to make provisions for mothers who would bring their kids.
“Stampede started happening at 7 am. A woman said she threw her son over the fence thinking that someone would catch him, but the child hit his head on the ground and died on the spot. One woman gathered her neighbour’s kids and brought 19 children to the venue. HOW WAS IT NAOMI’S FAULT that parents were throwing their kids?’
I agreed with Falana that the families of the victims of the stampedes must be duly compensated.
High poverty levels and economic inequality limit opportunities and access to basic services, undermining social justice.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), contains several provisions aimed at ensuring the social welfare of citizens.
Section 16 of the Constitution outlines the state’s economic objectives to ensure the prosperity and welfare of citizens. It mandates the state to: utilise national resources to promote prosperity and a self-reliant economy; control the economy to secure maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness based on social justice and equality; promote planned and balanced economic development; support agriculture and industry; and protect the environment.
These directives emphasise the state’s role in fostering economic growth that benefits all citizens, reduces inequality, and provides opportunities for everyone.
The Constitution, through Sections 16, 17, 18, and 34, lays a robust foundation for citizens’ welfare. By mandating economic justice, social equality, educational advancement, and human dignity. These provisions aim to build a society where every individual can achieve their full potential.
These sections collectively underscore the government’s responsibility to create an environment that supports the well-being and development of its citizens, promoting a prosperous, just, and equitable society for all.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
