Femi Falana
Blame Police for Deaths in Food Stampedes in Nigeria, Says Falana
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has blamed the Nigerian Police Force for the deaths of 115 Nigerians in recent food stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra States.
He made this statement in Akure, Ondo State, while delivering a lecture organized by the Ondo State government in memory of the late former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The lecture, titled “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability, and Development: The Ondo State Example,” highlighted the police’s negligence in their constitutional duties as a contributing factor to the tragic incidents.
Falana stated, “The deaths of 115 Nigerians in the recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
He called on the Nigerian government to address the root causes of social insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, hunger, and illiteracy, emphasizing that physical security cannot be guaranteed without social security.
Falana also commended the late Akeredolu for his efforts in promoting security, particularly through the establishment of the Amotekun security initiative, which he noted has made Ondo State a model for security reforms in Nigeria.
“Today, all 36 state governors have come together to approve state police, but it was Akeredolu who laid the groundwork by enacting the law that legitimized Amotekun. That singular action has made Ondo State the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” Falana said.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, extolled Akeredolu’s achievements in security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, noting that his administration would sustain the late governor’s vision of development and good governance.
The event’s chairman, Afenifere chieftain Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, also praised Akeredolu for prioritizing security and development, urging continued efforts to preserve his legacy.
Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu served as governor of Ondo State from February 2017 until his death on December 26, 2023, at the age of 67, following a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.