The concerns raised by the Inspector General of Police and warning against unorganised distribution of palliatives and relief items that led to confrontation and stampede come at the right time, his calls on groups, individuals and NGOs, planning to distribute alms to the needy to ensure proper planning to avoid stampedes and unnecessary confrontations among citizens seeking assistance is commendable.
During the two unfortunate events at Maitama, Abuja and Okija in Anambra state, a number of persons lost their lives and many injured different degrees of injuries receiving treatment at different health facilities where the IGP reiterates the commitment of the force in supporting efforts aimed at creating a safer and more structured environment for aid distribution in our communities to prevent future tragedies and ensure such processes are seamless.
To achieve a tragedy free engagement, philanthropists should collaborate with relevant stakeholders in organising such gathering, these include the security organisations, religious groups, community leaders, civil society organisations and to also leverage on technology to achieve a hitch free and transparent selection of beneficiaries and relief distribution.
Crowd management experts and safeguard specialists are very key in actualization a seamless approach, these could be found in many government and private organisations such as the Nigerian Police as highlighted above, NEMA/SEMA, International relief organisations working at different IDP camps, whom for decades involved in this special tasks in the country.
According to the an online resources on crwod management and safety, emergency preparedness and management are very key, access control and crowd density and surveillance are paramount, barrier fencing, communications and risk assessment as well as post-events analysis, knowing your crowd and their dynamics and positioning of security personnel in strategic locations are key to achieving a safer and effective event organization.
Organisers of such events should choose spacious, open areas with minimal obstacles and should be scheduled at a time when the crowd is likely to be smaller, this where the religious and community leaders will come in by submitting the lists of the vulnerable people who mostly benefited for such relief.
The order by the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances that led to the two unfortunate tragedies is commendable, this highlighted the commands commitments in ensure a safer and better ways to avoid the unfortunate incident in the future,
Leadership at all levels needs to see the importance and urgency of coming up with policies and programs targeted at cushioning the level of hunger and poverty among Nigerians, this can go along way in reducing the number of people from trooping to alms distribution events. And will enable them tread with caution, prioritize their safety in oder to avoid unforeseen calamities as emphasized by the IGP.
The National Orientation Agency which was established with the sole aim of communicating government policies, staying abreast of public opinion, and promoting patriotism and national unity, should as a matter of public interests, come up with a sensitisation program, specifically on the Nigerian government’s health and safety measures , this could be achieved through Drama, Skits and Jingles, leveraging on the FRCN radio stations and civil society organisations across the country to achieve a desired objectives.
Our condolences go to the families and relatives of those who lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident and to those injured, wishing them quick recovery.
Isyaka Laminu Badamasi
Bauchi State Coordinator
Youths O’clock Nigeria
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