Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep sorrow over the stampedes that occurred in three different locations across the country, which led to numerous fatalities and injuries, further intensifying the nation’s grief and anguish.
In a statement released on Saturday night, Atiku described the tragic loss of lives as both heartbreaking and deeply distressing. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families who have been affected by this calamity, emphasizing the profound sadness that comes with the untimely deaths of so many individuals during these unfortunate events.
The former Vice President, in his statement, extended his deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones and sent a message of solidarity to the governments and people of the affected states, especially Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory. He also expressed particular condolences to the Catholic Church, especially the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, for its connection to one of the incidents.
Atiku also urged those responsible for organizing large public gatherings to prioritize the implementation of effective crowd management strategies in order to ensure the safety and security of everyone in attendance. He stressed the importance of such measures in preventing future tragedies of this nature.
In his message, Atiku stated, “It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive yet again the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in the untimely passing of many. The anguish is all the more unbearable, as these recent tragedies strike just days after the devastating loss of nearly three dozen innocent children in a similar stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.”
He continued, “On behalf of my family, I extend my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in today’s tragic events. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families, that they may find solace, and with the departed, that they may rest in eternal peace.”
The former Vice President concluded, “We also stand in solidarity with the people and governments of Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic Church, especially to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama. It is imperative that those entrusted with the organization of such large-scale events take the utmost care in crowd management, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants. -AA,” Atiku wrote via his X account.
