Following December 18, 2024 stampede in Ibadan, the Oyo government Tuesday warned against staging unregulated Valentine Day celebrations in any part of the state.
The government handed down the warning in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
In the statement, the government specifically warned corporate bodies, event planners, and anyone planning grandiose celebrations in respect of St. Valentine’s Day to ensure they adhere to the state rules and regulations.
Prince Oyelade pointed out that as at present, many broadcast stations in the state have been airing adverts and promotions inviting people to celebrate Valentine’s Day at various venues.
The commissioner said all stakeholders planning such events to actively involve security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Amotekun, Operation Burst, and other security arms, to ensure they have proper logistics in place for seamless gatherings.