The Lagos State Government has urged event organisers, show promoters, non-governmental organisations, corporate bodies, and private individuals to prioritise proper crowd management to avoid stampedes during events.
The warning was issued during a press conference on Sunday by Gbenga Omotosho, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter following recent stampedes in Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija, Anambra State; and Maitama, Abuja, which collectively claimed over 70 lives.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier expressed condolences to the affected families through a statement signed by his media adviser, Gboyega Akosile.
Omotosho explained that the Lagos State Safety Commission requires individuals and organisations planning large gatherings to register their events to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
He also highlighted the dual nature of stampedes, noting that while poverty contributes to such incidents, human tendencies toward freebies exacerbate the risks.
“This is why we are calling on individuals to be safety-conscious and reminding those planning charitable activities that their goodwill must not come at the cost of human lives,” Omotosho said.
Gbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, reinforced the importance of public safety, adding, “No freebies are worth the lives of Lagosians. Governor Sanwo-Olu values the lives of all residents and is committed to ensuring a safe festive season.”
He also reminded residents of the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, 767 and 112, which are available for reporting emergencies.
Margaret Adeseye, the Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, further cautioned residents to adopt safety measures, particularly during the harmattan season.
She advised against storing fireworks, selling fuel in markets, and placing gas cylinders near cookers, reiterating that carelessness, not harmattan, is often the cause of fire outbreaks.
