The Yorùbá World Congress Worldwide (YWC) has called on the Nigerian government to address the underlying causes of stampedes across the country to prevent further loss of lives and property.
In a statement released on Thursday by its co-founder, Adekunle Ogundana; Secretary General, Stephen Ajayi; and Contact and Mobilisation Director, J.P Oyinade, the group sympathized with the bereaved families, praying for the repose of the deceased and strength for their loved ones to bear the loss.
The YWC urged the federal, state, and local governments to implement lasting solutions to widespread hunger, unemployment, and poverty, which it identified as the root causes of recent stampedes in Ibadan, Okija (Anambra), and Maitama (Abuja).
The group also emphasised the need for governments to provide basic necessities to reduce the prevalence of poverty in the nation.
The group expressed concerns over the arrest and detention of Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi, Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun Ibadan; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of Agidigbo FM; and Olori Naomi Silekunola, estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The trio was reportedly arrested in connection with the stampede in Ibadan.
YWC criticised the government for failing to provide essential services, which has led philanthropists to step in and assist the needy. It argued that prosecuting individuals who aim to help the masses, as seen in the Ibadan case, discourages others from offering similar support in the future.
The group maintained that the government should be held accountable for the loss of lives and called for the immediate release of the detained individuals, describing their arrests as unfair.
YWC concluded by urging authorities to focus on addressing systemic issues of poverty and unemployment to prevent further tragedies and create a more secure and prosperous society.
“We the members of Yorùbá World Congress Worldwide (YWC) are using this medium to advice the Nigerian government to address the root causes of stampedes across the country. This will go a long way to prevent further loss of lives and property.
“We are calling on the federal and state governors across the country to find lasting solutions to the widespread hunger, unemployment and poverty in the country. We called on the federal government and state governors to provide necessities of life for the citizens, to reduce the level of poverty in the country.
“We are concerned about the continued incarceration of the principal of the school, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi, proprietor of Agidigbo FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, and Olori Naomi Silekunola.
“We are aware that the stampedes occurred in three locations within a week. This resulted in the death of more than fifty people. It occurred in Ibadan, Oyo state, Okija in Anambra, and Maitama in Abuja. This is an indication that it is a national issue. It is the outcome of poverty, unemployment, and hunger in the land.
“Continuous incarceration of the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun Ibadan Mr Abdullahi Fasasi, proprietor of Agidigbo FM Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and Olori Naomi Silekunola the estranged wife of Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi who were arrested in connection with the stampede in Ibadan is abnormal.
“Since there was no law against organising charitable programs in Nigeria; it is very unfair to keep them in prison because they broke no law by giving a helping hand to the poor.
“It is the government that should be held accountable for the loss of lives because it has failed in its responsibility to provide essential services for the citizens. It was when the government failed in its responsibility to provide essential services for the people that philanthropists came out to assist the underprivileged.
“Continued prosecution of people who meant well for the masses as it is being witnessed in the case of those arrested in connection with the Ibadan stampede is a way to suppress other spirited Nigerians who may want to assist the poor in the future. We are calling for the immediate release of the principal, Hamzat and Silekunola.
“This is not the first time of stampede. We want governments at all levels to address the root causes of the stampedes instead of unnecessary diversion from the main causes.
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“During a recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Immigration Service at various centres across Nigeria (Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Niger, Edo and Abuja), no fewer than 18 job seekers died, with many others injured, as thousands of applicants tried to enter the venues in 2014 and “no one way prosecuted”.
“A stampede occurred on February 23, 2024, during the struggle by a crowd at the distribution of seized bags of rice by the Nigeria Customs Service at its office in Yaba. No one was prosecuted”.
“At least three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, died in a stampede when the students looted rice given for distribution by the government. Who was prosecuted?
“At least no fewer than 20 people died, while several others were injured during a Sallah stampede in Ilorin, the Kwara capital. The incident occurred during rice distribution by former Governor Bukola Saraki. We are aware that no one was arrested for this too.”