Stampede: Atiku mourns victims, seeks utmost care in crowd management

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has mourned the victims of stampedes during food distributions in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

In a post via his official X handle, Atiku called for better crowd management during large-scale events.

DAILY POST recalls that many persons lost their lives, while others are still nursing injuries following a stampede during a food distribution event by a church in Abuja and a similar one in the Okija community of Anambra State in the early hours of Saturday.

The 2023 PDP presidential candidate said he received the news of the twin stampede with a heavy heart and deep sorrow.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive yet again the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in the untimely passing of many.

“It is imperative that those entrusted with the organization of such large-scale events take the utmost care in crowd management, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants,” he tweeted.

He recalled a similar incident in Ibadan Oyo State, leading to the death of about 35 persons, mostly children, during a funfair.

The ex-vice president said the twin stampedes which occurred a few days after the devastating loss of lives in Ibadan, is the reason his anguish is all the more unbearable.

“On behalf of my family, I extend my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in today’s tragic events.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families, that they may find solace and with the departed, that they may rest in eternal peace,” he added.

Stampede: Atiku mourns victims, seeks utmost care in crowd management