Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has attributed the tragic stampedes that occurred during the distribution of palliatives in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja last week to the negligence of the Nigeria Police Force.
Falana criticized the police for failing to protect citizens during public gatherings, labeling the incidents as a national tragedy.
Falana made these remarks on Friday at a public lecture organized by the Ondo State Government in Akure to honor the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
The lecture, titled “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability and Development: The Ondo State Example,” provided a platform for the senior lawyer to address systemic issues within Nigeria’s security sector.
Citing the Police Establishment Act of 2020, Falana argued that the police had a statutory duty to ensure adequate security at public events.
“Under Section 83, Subsection 4 of the Police Establishment Act, if there is a rally, public meeting, or state rally, the police shall provide adequate security for the people. The failure to do so led to the loss of lives in those stampedes,” he said.
Falana emphasized the need for systemic reforms to prevent such occurrences in the future, urging the police to take decisive steps to safeguard the lives of citizens, especially during public events.
He also criticized the broader management of protests and public gatherings in Nigeria, highlighting the frequent lack of security measures to prevent hoodlums from causing chaos.
He called on the federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, to take responsibility for the negligence and compensate the victims’ families.
“Because we operate a capitalist system, somebody must bear responsibility for any damage.
The federal government must pay compensation to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampedes due to the failure and negligence of the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who also spoke at the event, lauded the late Akeredolu as a courageous leader committed to the advancement of democracy and the rule of law.
“Arakunrin Akeredolu was that courageous leader who spoke truth to power and fought for the advancement of democracy and the rule of law in our country,” he said.
The stampedes, which left several people dead and many injured, have sparked a nationwide debate on the role of security agencies in ensuring public safety during large gatherings.
Falana’s comments are expected to further intensify calls for accountability and reforms within Nigeria’s security apparatus.
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