Following stampedes during food-sharing events in Okija, Anambra State, and Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday where almost 40 Nigerians lost their lives, the House of Representatives has urged government and event organisers to develop comprehensive guidelines for crowd control and management.

Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Joseph Bassey, who gave the advice in a statement on Sunday, stressed the need for stakeholders organising charity events to prioritize the safety of participants to prevent further tragedies.

This came after a similar incident occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives and several others were left critically injured during a funfair.

While 10 residents died in Abuja, 29 were reported killed in Anambra.

Bassey noted that these tragic events, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, have raised serious concerns regarding the safety of citizens during large-scale charity events.

Recognising the efforts of charitable organizations, good-spirited individuals and government initiatives, in providing food aid to vulnerable populations, particularly during the festive season, the lawmaker maintained that the incidents highlight the “critical need for robust crowd management strategies to prevent further loss of lives and to ensure public safety.”

“In light of these events, the Committee calls upon citizens and relevant government agencies, especially the State and Local Government Areas Emergency Management Authorities, to immediately develop and issue comprehensive guidelines for emergency and disaster preparedness”, he stated.
Basset advised that the guidelines should include clear protocols for crowd control, especially for events with more than 20 beneficiaries.

He said this would ensure that organizers, security forces, and first responders are adequately prepared for any unforeseen eventualities.

“The House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness stresses the importance of early engagement with professionals in crowd management and encourages organizers to collaborate with security agencies to avoid unnecessary risks. All stakeholders involved in organizing such events must prioritize the safety of participants to prevent further tragedies.

“The Committee remains committed to partnering with relevant stakeholders to explore legislative interventions and ensure that preventive measures are put in place for future events.

“The House Committee further reiterates its dedication to working alongside government agencies, emergency services, and other partners to ensure the implementation of safety measures that can mitigate risks during similar events.”