By Sahed Ibrahim
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned the Federal Government (FG) of looming hunger-induced stampedes across the country if urgent measures are not taken to address the rising poverty crisis.
This warning followed recent fatal stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra, where scores, including children, lost their lives while scrambling for free food.
In a statement signed by Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, Clerk of the NANS Senate, on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the student body expressed its condolences to the families of the victims.
He lamented the worsening economic situation in the country, attributing the stampedes to the FG’s inability to resolve the root causes of poverty and hunger.
Odunayo stressed that Nigerians are hardworking people who rarely depend on freebies, but the dire economic conditions have left them desperate, adding that “Nigerians have never had it this bad. The situation in the country is really tough, and it should be a serious concern for a government that knows its onions. We are tired of excuses and palliatives that could not even reach the poor of the poor.”
He further criticised the government’s “nonchalant and insensitive” attitude toward the plight of citizens, warning that no amount of condolences or compensation could atone for the loss of innocent lives.
The student body implored the Tinubu-led administration to take immediate action to stabilise the economy and reduce poverty.
Odunayo called for nationwide measures to reverse the trend of hunger and poverty, noting that no region of the country is immune to the crisis.
He warned, “therefore, urgent measures must be taken to reverse this ugly trend, otherwise, the government should prepare for more hunger-induced fatal stampedes across the nation.”
The student body emphasised that the ongoing crisis has deeply shaken the nation, and failure to act will exacerbate the desperation of the people. Odunayo reiterated that hunger-induced fatalities are preventable and called on leaders at all levels to take their responsibilities seriously.
NANS concluded its statement by expressing hope that the FG will prioritise the welfare of Nigerians and implement sustainable solutions to ensure no more lives are lost due to avoidable tragedies like hunger stampedes.