SERAP Slams Tinubu Government Over Deadly Stampede In Anambra, Abuja, Accuses Authorities Of Weaponising Poverty Against Citizens

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government following a stampede that occurred earlier in Anambra and Abuja on Saturday, which resulted in multiple casualties.

In a statement released on Saturday through its official X account, SERAP accused the Nigerian authorities and corrupt politicians of failing to fulfill their obligations to protect citizens' rights to life and an adequate standard of living.

The civic organisation decried the continued neglect of public welfare by government officials, claiming that their actions had entrenched poverty and subjected millions of Nigerians to unnecessary hardship.

SERAP stated that the recurring disasters reflect systemic failures within the country’s leadership.

The organisation expressed deep concern over the government's inability to address the systemic poverty that has led to situations where people are put at risk in search of basic survival needs.

The statement read, "Nigerian authorities and corrupt politicians are failing to uphold their obligations to protect people's rights to an adequate standard of living and life.

"They are entrenching poverty and inflicting unnecessary misery on millions of Nigerians. Nigeria deserves better than this."

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that a stampede in Okija community, Anambra State, left several residents feared dead during a rice-sharing event.

The incident occurred on Saturday when a large crowd gathered to receive free bags of rice to the residents.

In a video posted, a witness expressed sorrow over the incident at Okija in Anambra South, where a stampede reportedly claimed the lives of several women.

It was gathered that some women had gathered to collect their share of rice distributed by Obijackson.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that tragedy struck on Saturday morning as a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including four children, and left several others injured. 

It was gathered that the incident occurred during the distribution of palliatives by the church to vulnerable and elderly residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The FCT Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the fatalities and revealed that eight other individuals sustained injuries.

Josephine noted that four of the injured victims have since been treated and discharged, while the remaining are receiving medical attention.

It was learnt that the stampede broke out as thousands of residents scrambled to access the food items, leading to chaos and the unfortunate loss of lives.  

Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y