Falana Knocks Police For Deaths Of 115 Nigerians During Food Stampedes

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said the Nigeria Police Force is responsible for the deaths of 115 Nigerians in the recent food stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra states.
Falana said this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during a public lecture in memory of former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, organized by the Ondo State government.
The lecture is titled “Security sector reforms to promote peace, stability and development: the example of Ondo State.” According to him, the unfortunate incident occurred because the police failed in their constitutional duty.
He said: “The recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija that resulted in the death of 115 Nigerians is unacceptable. The police failed to protect the people. The government must pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones because of this failure. He called on the Nigerian government to combat social insecurity as seen in the high rates of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and illiteracy in the country.
He stressed that physical security, i.e., the security of the lives and property of the people, cannot be guaranteed unless social security is in place.
Mr. Falana praised the work of the late Mr. Akeredolu, who fought for justice to protect the lives and property of the people. He also said that Ondo State has become a reference point in security issues across Nigeria with the establishment of Amotekun by Governor Akeredolu.
He said, “Today, all 36 state governors have come together to approve a state police force, but it was Akeredolu who laid the groundwork by enacting the law legalizing Amotekun. His singular action has made Ondo State the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he said.
Falana stressed the importance of preserving Akeredolu’s legacy, saying that the greatest tribute to Akeredolu is to sustain his legacy.
Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa praised his former boss, saying that his achievements in the areas of security, infrastructure, education, and health were numerous and lasting.
He said: “The achievements of the Akeredolu administration are profound and continue to inspire us, including roads, bridges, health centers, and education reforms”.
Ayedatiwa, who was deputy governor during Governor Akeredolu’s second term, said that Governor Akeredolu was a courageous leader who spoke truth to power and fought for the development of democracy and the rule of law.
He vowed that his administration would carry on Akeredolu’s vision of development and good governance.
In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the event who is a chieftain of Afenifere, Sehinde Arogbofa, praised Governor Akeredolu’s boldness in prioritizing security and development in Ondo State. He also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for maintaining the Amotekun initiative and called for continued efforts to deepen Akeredolu’s vision.
Didactic Information Hut recalls that Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu served as governor of Ondo State from February 2017 until his death in a German hospital on December 26, 2023, at the age of 67, after a long battle with prostate cancer.