Two Nigerians commended by UK Emergency Services for their bravery and selfless acts during nightclub tragedy

Chief Officers from Northamptonshire’s three
emergency services came together on Jan. 27th
at a special joint ceremony to acknowledge and
commend the actions of staff and members of
the public in responding to a major incident at the
Lava and Ignite nightclub in October 2011, where
two young women tragically lost their lives.
Among those commended were three members of
the public namely: Chinedu Ani, Olabanji Gellately-
Olanrewaju and Leonel Oliviera. Olanrewaju
couldn't make it to the ceremony
Chinedu Ani who travelled from London to attend
the event held at Northampton High School was
commended for his actions in repeatedly trying to
pull trapped people out of the staircase crush and
to safety. He received a standing ovation from
emergency services personnel for his brave and
selfless act.
Clubbers were involved in a crush on the main
staircase area in the nightclub and students
Nabila Nanfuka, 22, and Laurene-Danielle
Jackson, 19, suffered fatal injuries while trying to
leave the club, which was based in Northampton
town centre.
At the commendation ceremony, staff from
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service,
Northamptonshire Police and the East Midlands
Ambulance Service (EMAS), were presented with
formal commendations and letters of
appreciation, acknowledging their efforts and
professionalism in bringing the incident under
control and limiting the number of people killed or
seriously injured.
Adrian Davis, Head of Service for
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said:
"There was rightly a complex and lengthy
investigation into this incident, which concluded
with the Coroner’s inquest at the end of last year.
Following its conclusion all three chief officers
felt it was now appropriate to pay tribute and
recognise the tremendous work of the emergency
responders in dealing with the events that
unfolded at the Lava and Ignite nightclub."
Deputy Chief Constable, Andy Frost was the
Police Gold Commander on the night of the
incident and said: "What happened that night was
an absolute tragedy. We know that without the
combined efforts of the staff from
Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire
and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance
Service, together with members of the public,
there would have undoubtedly been more people
killed or seriously injured."
Three police officers; five fire officers, six EMAS
staff and three members of the public were
awarded formal commendations for the exemplary
actions they took in responding to the incident. A
further 116 members of staff received letters of
appreciation from chief officers acknowledging
the significant role they played and for their
professionalism.
Richard Henderson, Director of Operations with
East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "This was
a very challenging and stressful incident where
split second decisions had to be made. We are
extremely proud of the actions taken by the
emergency teams. They worked together very
effectively, in tremendously difficult
circumstances. They showed a great deal of
compassion in supporting trapped, distressed and
injured members of the public