The Edo State Police Command has called on government officials, community leaders, religious organizations, and NGOs to work closely with the police in organizing palliative distribution to avoid deadly stampedes.
In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, emphasized the need for an orderly approach to ensure the safety of citizens during such exercises.
“Following recent cases of stampedes leading to avoidable deaths in some parts of the country, the Edo State Police Command is urging stakeholders to collaborate with the police for a comprehensive and organized palliative distribution process,” Yamu said.
The Commissioner of Police, Ozigi Umoru, issued a stern warning to groups organizing similar events, stressing the importance of involving security agencies.
“Organizers must ensure they engage the police or other security agencies to prevent tragedies. The safety of lives and property is a priority for the Command,” the Commissioner stated.
The warning follows a series of fatal stampedes during palliative distributions in other states, including Oyo, where 35 children died, and Anambra, where 22 people lost their lives on Saturday. In Abuja, 10 people died during a chaotic event involving over 1,000 people.
The Command reiterated its commitment to preventing such incidents in Edo State by ensuring public safety through proactive measures.