Governor Hyacinth Alia has extended his heartfelt condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, religious leaders, and the people of Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States over the tragic stampedes that occurred in these regions. He described the separate incidents as deeply unfortunate.
The first incident took place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, during a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, resulting in the loss of lives. Two additional incidents occurred in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State, during food distribution events, where uncontrollable crowds caused further casualties. The latter incidents happened just three days after the first.
In his condolence message to President Tinubu, the victims’ families, and all those affected, Governor Alia expressed profound sorrow over the events. He noted that these tragic occurrences have cast a shadow of mourning over the nation at a time when the world is preparing to celebrate the joyous birth of Jesus Christ.
The governor urged charity organizations, philanthropists, and event planners to prioritize safety measures during public gatherings, emphasizing that these losses could have been prevented with adequate precautions.
While praying for the quick recovery of the injured and eternal rest for those who lost their lives, Governor Alia also prayed for God to comfort the grieving families and grant them the strength to endure this painful loss.
