‘Probe stampede at Patience Jonathan’s rally’
The Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State chapter, has asked the Inspector-General of Police to set up an independent panel to probe the recent “bloody” outing of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, in the state.
The CLO said on Wednesday that the death of two infants and firing of teargas canisters by the police during the event organised in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by Mrs. Jonathan should be investigated.
The President’s wife last Thursday inaugurated the distribution of empowerment items to different women groups in the state but the event turned tragic with the stampede, during which two infants reportedly died.
The police were said to have fired teargas that caused the stampede and the consequent death of one six-month-old baby and another three-month-old infant.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of CLO, Chief Nengi James, in a statement in Yenagoa said that the crowd control at the President’s wife’s event was “noticeably poor.”
He observed that the crowd was gathered at the football field of the Samson Siasia Stadium, which has only one entrance and one exit.
James said, “The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abbah, should order a probe into the incident to avoid future occurrence.
“The action of the police is wicked and should be investigated to avoid another act of manslaughter and murder in the state as the political campaigns draw near.
“It is sad to note that the police could shoot teargas into the crowd of women instead of being more civil.
“It is a violation of human rights and it is clear case of murder. Such inhuman treatment will discourage people from attending rallies in the state.”
The CLO boss also called for adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.
He lamented that the babies were crushed to death in a stampede caused by armed security men.
The CLO said on Wednesday that the death of two infants and firing of teargas canisters by the police during the event organised in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by Mrs. Jonathan should be investigated.
The President’s wife last Thursday inaugurated the distribution of empowerment items to different women groups in the state but the event turned tragic with the stampede, during which two infants reportedly died.
The police were said to have fired teargas that caused the stampede and the consequent death of one six-month-old baby and another three-month-old infant.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of CLO, Chief Nengi James, in a statement in Yenagoa said that the crowd control at the President’s wife’s event was “noticeably poor.”
He observed that the crowd was gathered at the football field of the Samson Siasia Stadium, which has only one entrance and one exit.
James said, “The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abbah, should order a probe into the incident to avoid future occurrence.
“The action of the police is wicked and should be investigated to avoid another act of manslaughter and murder in the state as the political campaigns draw near.
“It is sad to note that the police could shoot teargas into the crowd of women instead of being more civil.
“It is a violation of human rights and it is clear case of murder. Such inhuman treatment will discourage people from attending rallies in the state.”
The CLO boss also called for adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.
He lamented that the babies were crushed to death in a stampede caused by armed security men.
Comments
Post a Comment