Professor Banji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Struggle, has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan. The incident occurred on December 18 during a charity event meant to distribute food gifts to children, turning a gesture of goodwill into a devastating loss.
In a heartfelt statement, Akintoye lamented the scale of the tragedy, noting that some families lost multiple children. “The young lives lost in Ibadan were precious and full of promise to our Yoruba Nation,” he said, extending condolences to the grieving families.
The professor linked the tragedy to the widespread poverty afflicting Nigeria, which he described as a direct result of systemic corruption and economic collapse. He cited similar incidents in Abuja and Anambra State, emphasizing that desperation for basic necessities often leads to such deadly outcomes.
“These stampedes are a symptom of Nigeria’s broken system,” Akintoye stated, referencing a 2014 incident where a recruitment exercise for government jobs in Abuja led to the deaths of seven university graduates in a similar chaotic crowd surge.
A Call for Action and Accountability
Akintoye urged Nigerian leaders to recognize the scale of the nation’s economic and social decay. “Nigeria has sunk to the lowest levels of degradation in the world,” he said, pointing to alarming statistics such as the recent National Bureau of Statistics report indicating that over 64,000 Nigerians were killed and more than 2.2 million kidnapped between May 2023 and April 2024.
The professor argued that Nigeria’s challenges—ranging from extreme poverty and inflation to collapsing infrastructure—are driving the country toward inevitable disintegration. He called for a peaceful dissolution of Nigeria into smaller, self-governed nations to ensure better governance and economic opportunities for its citizens.
A Dire Warning
Akintoye warned that resistance to change could lead to further bloodshed. “Nigeria will break up—whether peacefully or through a bloody implosion,” he said, urging political leaders to guide the process of dissolution responsibly to avoid chaos.
He concluded by calling on ordinary Nigerians to demand courageous reforms. “We must ensure that none of our people will ever again need to stampede for food or any other necessity,” he stated, advocating for a future where dignity and prosperity replace the current desperation.
