Stampede: Abia govt warns against spraying money, gift items

The Abia State Government (ABSG) on Sunday warned against any moves that could engender a stampede in the state, including the spraying of cash and gift items in gatherings with large turnouts.

According to the state government, in a press release authored by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, and titled “Public Safety Alert,” the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, commiserated with the families and loved ones of victims of stampedes that occurred in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra.

The statement further read, “Following this frightening upsurge in cases of stampedes being witnessed in different parts of the country, especially during this festive period, as a result of challenges with crowd control by organisers and participants in different events/programmes, the Governor wishes to call on organisers of all kinds of programmes that would require a reasonable crowd to make sure they put in place all safety measures to avoid a stampede of any type that may lead to loss of lives.”

“The government also wishes to strongly warn against any unethical practices like spraying or throwing of money or gift items into a crowd of people, given its propensity to lead to a stampede.”

“Organisers of any event that would require a large crowd of people should get across to the Abia State Homeland Security or Local Government Authority for the necessary guidance and support to ensure the safety of attendees.”

The government warned, “The government shall come down very hard on any person or group that ignores this safety directive.”

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