National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has decried the wave of deaths arising from stampedes across the country, calling for a halt to the suffering of the masses.
The PFN President commiserated with President Bola Tinubu, governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde and governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo over the back-to-back fatal stampedes that recently occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, Okija, Anambra State and Abuja.
The stampedes occurred while the victims were trying to receive palliatives distributed to the less privileged by private organisers.
The pentecostal national body stated in a release by its Media Bureau that the stampedes were a pointer to the fact that there is serious hunger in the land.
“It is symptomatic of a collapsed economy, despite the fact that Nigeria is a specially blessed and endowed nation.
“Our leaders need to pay more attention to enacting laws and putting in place policies and strategies that will make food more affordable to the common man.
“It is sad to see people struggling for food and getting killed in the process in a land that is flowing with milk and honey,” it was added.
Bishop Oke extended the heartfelt condolences of all the PFN leaders and members across Nigeria to the president, the two governors and, in particular, to the families whose loved ones lost their lives during the stampedes.
He said: “The loss of almost 60 precious lives, mostly children, is a dagger to our hearts. We pray that the God of all grace will comfort and strengthen His Excellencies and all the families affected.
“Our thoughts are with them, including the injured. We wish them a swift recovery.”
The PFN President further commended the health authorities and first responders who bravely rushed to the aid of those in need, providing life-saving care during the critical moment.
He said the dedication and care of the health authorities and first responder were truly commendable.
In the light of the stampedes, the PFN called for thorough investigations and immediate implementation of policies and structures, designed to prevent such a calamity from occurring in the future.
“Ensuring safety protocols at all gatherings, especially those involving children, must be a top priority.
“We must carefully examine the conditions that led to these catastrophies and take meaningful steps to protect all participants in future events.
“May God bless Oyo State. May God bless Anambra State. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it was stated in the release.
