Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said that the Nigerian Police Force is to be blamed for the deaths of 115 Nigerians during the recent food stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra States.
Falana stated this in Akure, Ondo state capital while delivering a public lecture organised by the Ondo State government in memorial of former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The title of the lecture, which is the first in the series is “Security Sector Reform in Promoting Peace, Stability, and Development: The Ondo State Example.”
According to him, the unfortunate incidents happened because the police were negligent of their constitutional duties.
He said: “The deaths of 115 Nigerians in the recent incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are unacceptable. The police failed to protect the people, and I hold them responsible. The government must pay compensation to the families who lost their loved ones because of these failures.”
He called on the Nigerian government to combat social insecurity, evident in the night rate of poverty, unemployment, hunger and illiteracy in the country.
He emphasised that without social security in place, physical security, that is security of lives and property of the citizenry cannot the guaranteed.
Falana commended the virtues of the late Akeredolu for fighting for justice, to secure the lives and property of the people.
