Tinubu Cancels Official Events, Mourns Victims Of ‘Avoidable’ Stampedes

President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his official engagements in Lagos owing to multiple stampedes during food distribution campaigns in Abuja and Anambra State.

Several persons died and many others were wounded during the stampedes that happened in the early hours of the day.

Describing the incidents as “avoidable,” the president cancelled his outings for the day in honour of the victims of the stampedes.

“President Bola Tinubu cancelled all his official events in Lagos today, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday afternoon, hours after the incidents which have left the nation in shock.

Onanuga said his principal was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi.

Authorities are calling for calm while the injured are being treated following the stampede in Abuja. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV.

“Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies,” he said.

Tinubu wants organisers of similar programmes and “relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately”.

The president mandated authorities not to tolerate operational lapses by organisations during charitable activities.

“He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety,” the presidential spokesman said, passing his principal’s condolence to the victims of the incidents.

”In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” President Tinubu said.

Already, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into the stampedes.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Muyiwa Adejobi said the IGP has mandated the commissioners of police in the affected states to probe the incidents.

The stampedes happened a few days after a similar incident during a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. That one claimed about 35 lives, leaving scores injured.