By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has expressed concerns even as the body averred that President Bola Tinubu, should not heap blame on the organisers of the food palliative meant to cushion hardship in Oyo, Anambra States and Abuja.
The aftermath of the three stampades saw scores despatched to their graves in attempt to get food items occasioned by the scarcity of food and pervasive hunger ravaging the country.
Executive Director at CASER, Barr. Frank Tietie, in a statement made available to journalists insists, adding: “Therefore, CASER demands that the Nigerian government should accept full responsibility for the deaths at the three food stampedes and immediately put in place measures to identify the victims with their families and pay fair and adequate compensation of not less than N100 million to each of them or as it may be considered appropriate after due considerations.
The human rights activist, said: “We maintain to the contrary, with tremendous respect to the President TINUBU, that it is not the responsibility of religious organisations and public-spirited individuals to provide public order, safety, and security after they announce that they are sharing food with members of the public.
“It is rather the duty of first responders and law enforcement agencies to reasonably foresee the collapse of order and ensure that it was prevented or that such attempts were made to provide the same.”
The Nigerian government, he said must be reminded that, according to existing legal provisions, every Nigerian has the right to food, which also includes the right to access food.
According to him, it appears the citizen’s right to food has been grossly affected and hindered by the harsh economic situation, which the policies of the Nigerian government have exacerbated.
“Where therefore, in the course of exercising the right to food, if a Nigerian dies in a public event, in a situation that the agents of the Nigerian government could have prevented at two levels, then it is the Nigerian government that should be held responsible for the two violations of the right to food and the right to life.
“All the organisers and such persons involved in the noble deed of sharing palliatives during the Christmas season, which led to the unfortunate deaths, must be fully absolved of any criminal responsibility.
“Where they have been arrested or detained, they should be immediately released forthwith. They could not, as public-spirited individuals and godly religious organisations which struggled to gather food for the hungry public and still be held to provide security and safety, which the government should ordinarily provide.
“Therefore, TAKE NOTICE that if the Federal Government of Nigeria fails to heed this demand to take responsibility and pay adequate compensation to the victims of the food stampedes, CASER will activate both national and international legal mechanisms to compel the Nigerian government to act responsibly.” Tietie, said.
This action according to him, is in line with CASER’s track record in ensuring the respect and enforcement of economic, social, and cultural rights and standards in Nigeria.
