Actor Femi Branch has weighed in on the stampede in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, last week which resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, mostly children.
The stampede occurred at an event held at Islamic High
School in the Bashorun area.
The event, organized by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of
Ife, was intended to cater to 5,000 attendees.
But news of a “free entry” with promises of gifts and
scholarships spread quickly, attracting a large crowd.
On the eve of the event, hundreds had camped around the
school to ensure they made it to the venue on time.
The stampede led to the arrest, arraignment, and remand of
Silekunola, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO Of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, the
principal of Islamic High School.
Addressing the matter in an Instagram post, Branch argued
that the women who smuggled their children into the venue were the real
offenders.
The actor claimed the organizers were only trying to do
good, adding that “it’s unfair to blame them for the tragic incident”.
He questioned why the parents who threw their children over
the fence to gain entry into the event haven’t been charged or held
accountable.
“This is not me trying to be insensitive about the plight of
the children who died. It is very tragic. If the purpose is to blame those
people responsible for the deaths. How is it the organiser?” he said.
“According to the report, people slept overnight. They were
throwing their children over the fence. How is this the fault of the
organisers? Is it a problem to do good in this country right now because we are
dealing with so much, and the people once in a while, from the little they
have, also touch people’s lives?
“I think people need to speak up about this. Why have the
police not fished out those parents who threw their children over the fence and
also charged them? Because as far as I am concerned, they are the offenders,
not the organisers.
“The facts are clear. It is unfair for Oriyomi Hamzat and
prophetess Naomi to be remanded on his matter. These people should be set
free.”
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