Renowned activist and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has intensified calls for justice in the wake of a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of seven individuals during a rice sale organized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at its office in Lagos.
The stampede occurred amidst the backdrop of a directive by President Bola Tinubu to make seized rice available to Nigerians at a subsidized rate of N10,000 for a 25kg bag, aimed at alleviating the prevailing food crisis in the nation.
However, the well-intentioned initiative took a devastating turn when chaos erupted at the Customs Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, resulting in the loss of seven lives.
Expressing deep concern over the tragic incident, Falana, in a statement issued on Sunday, demanded swift action from the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He emphasized the need for the NCS to assume full responsibility for the catastrophic consequences of the ill-fated rice sale and to take concrete steps to address the plight of the victims’ families.
“It is disheartening that, to date, the Nigeria Customs Service has failed to extend any form of support or condolence to the families of the deceased individuals,” remarked Falana.
“The NCS must acknowledge its role in the tragedy and provide adequate compensation to the bereaved families without delay.”
Highlighting the glaring oversight in logistical planning that precipitated the stampede, Falana underscored the need for accountability and redress.
“Given the circumstances surrounding the sale, it was evident that the Customs Zonal Headquarters in Yaba was ill-equipped to manage the influx of eager buyers,” he asserted.
Asserting the legal rights of the victims, Falana underscored the imperative of upholding the constitutional guarantee of the right to life. He warned of legal action should the NCS fail to heed his call for restitution and justice.
“We stand prepared to seek recourse through the Federal High Court to ensure that the fundamental rights of the deceased are upheld,” Falana affirmed.
In addition to seeking redress for the victims, Falana urged the NCS to swiftly resume the sale of the remaining rice stocks, albeit with enhanced safety measures in place to avert any recurrence of tragedy.
He proposed the involvement of local government councils and development areas in the distribution process to ensure greater efficiency and transparency.
“As we strive for justice for the victims of this unfortunate incident, it is imperative that we take proactive measures to prevent a similar tragedy from befalling others,” Falana urged.
“The resumption of rice sales should be coupled with robust safeguards to protect the safety and well-being of all citizens.”
In the pursuit of justice and accountability, Falana’s impassioned plea resonates as a rallying cry for a society that upholds the sanctity of human life and ensures that tragedies such as these are met with swift and decisive action.
