Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Two fatal stampedes over free Christmas rice distribution event in Anambra and Abuja on Saturday resulted in the loss of 27 and 10 lives in Anambra and Abuja respectively. The tragedy unfolded at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, where thousands had gathered to receive gifts from the Obijackson Foundation.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many victims, mostly women and youths, succumbing to injuries sustained during the stampede.
According to eyewitnesses, the crowd became uncontrollable when the distribution began, leading to the tragic incident.
“We were waiting for the distribution to begin at dawn, but the crowd became too much, and people started pushing and shoving,” an eyewitness recounted. The dead bodies and those who sustained injuries were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
Charles Aburime, the chief press secretary to the Anambra governor has confirmed the incident in a statement without giving details yet.
In a similar incident, at least 10 people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede during a palliative distribution event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
The event, organized to provide relief to struggling residents, drew over 3,000 people, mostly from nearby settlements. “10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on,” an eyewitness said.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the tragic development, noting that the palliative distribution had been suspended.
“Yes, it’s true. But with sketchy details,” he said. The stampede occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., when the crowd surged forward.
A combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
The church premises, initially filled with anxious beneficiaries, gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.
This tragedy mirrors a similar incident that occurred just days earlier in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives, the importance of crowd control and safety measures at public events cannot be overstated.
“May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” an eyewitness said, echoing the sentiments of many who are still reeling from the shock of these tragic events.
