IBADAN STAMPEDE: QUEEN NAOMI, OTHERS MUST BE PROSECUTED

The Ibadan stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children has taken a new turn, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde vowing to prosecute those involved. This includes Queen Naomi, Oriyomi Hamzat, and others who organized the charity program where the incident occurred.

According to reports, the stampede occurred on December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School in Ibadan, during a charity program organized by Queen Naomi and others. The incident led to widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

Governor Makinde, in a statement, emphasized that the rule of law must prevail in Oyo State, regardless of the status of those involved. He noted that while similar incidents in other states may not have led to prosecutions, Oyo State will be different. The Governor stated, "Even if nobody is held accountable elsewhere, in Oyo State, the rule of law will prevail".

Makinde's stance on the matter has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have praised him for his commitment to upholding the rule of law, while others have criticized him for being too harsh.

A commenter on Linda Ikeji's blog noted, "35 kids cannot die without somebody being held accountable. Kudos to Governor Makinde for taking a stand". Another commenter on the same blog said, "Makinde is working at embarrassing himself. He should focus on more pressing issues in the state".

Instablog9ja reported that Queen Naomi and others involved in the organization of the charity program have been remanded in custody. The blog noted that the suspects will face trial for their roles in the stampede.

A commenter on Instablog9ja said, "They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is a clear case of negligence and recklessness". Another commenter on the same blog noted, "We should not be too quick to judge. Let's wait for the outcome of the trial before we pass judgment".

The Oyo State Government has also come under fire for its handling of the incident. Some people have accused the government of being slow to respond to the crisis.

A commenter on Sahara Reporters noted, "The Oyo State Government was too slow to respond to the crisis. They should have acted faster to prevent the loss of lives". Another commenter on the same blog said, "The government is not entirely to blame. The organizers of the charity program should also take responsibility for their actions".

The Ibadan stampede has also raised questions about the safety and security of public events in Nigeria. Some people have called for stricter regulations and guidelines for the organization of public events.

A commenter on Nairaland noted, "We need stricter regulations and guidelines for the organization of public events. This will help to prevent incidents like the Ibadan stampede". Another commenter on the same blog said, "The government should also provide more support and resources for the organization of public events. This will help to ensure that events are safe and secure".

In conclusion, the Ibadan stampede has raised important questions about accountability, safety, and security in Nigeria. Governor Makinde's vow to prosecute those involved is a step in the right direction, but it is also important to address the underlying issues that led to the incident.

As one commenter on Linda Ikeji's blog noted, "We need to learn from this incident and take steps to prevent it from happening again. This includes holding people accountable, improving safety and security measures, and providing more support and resources for the organization of public events".