By Cross Udo, Ben Adoga and Cajetan Mmuta
In a harrowing series of events, over 67 people lost their lives during food distribution stampedes across multiple states in Nigeria, including Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The tragic incidents unfolded as vulnerable individuals scrambled for food palliatives by individuals and religious bodies amid the ongoing economic hardships in the country.
The stampedes highlight the critical challenges surrounding the distribution of palliatives and the urgency of addressing the systemic failures often accompanying such initiatives.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the stampedes during the sharing of food items to the less privileged in some parts of the country as a national tragedy.
The Vice President has also offered prayers for victims of the catastrophic occurrence that claimed multiple lives across the country.
In Okija, Anambra State, what was meant to be a Christmas palliative distribution on Saturday turned tragic when 22 persons lost their lives, with several others injured, during an early morning stampede.
The same day in Abuja, another tragedy struck when ten persons died during an annual Christmas food-sharing event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama.
These incidents followed Wednesday’s stampede at the Islamic High School, Basorun, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where several children lost their lives during a holiday funfair celebration, with others rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) for medical attention.
In his condolence message yesterday, Shettima expressed deep sorrow over the losses and offered prayers and heartfelt condolences.
The Vice President, in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, was quoted as saying, “I am incredibly saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives. My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
“I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation.
“This is not just a loss for individual states but for the entire nation. May the Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed.”
He further assured affected families that the federal government would provide necessary support during this challenging period.
He said, “We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this challenging period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance.
“We have directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to affected families. To those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, their recovery is our priority, and we will stand with them through this challenging time.”
Meanwhile, the police have said at least 67 people have died after three stampedes within days of each other.
The death toll from the stampede in Anambra State rose to 22, the local authorities said yesterday.
A spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police had commenced an investigation into the incident.
Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, said those who sustained injuries receive medical treatment.
“The commissioner of police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on 21/12/2024 in Okija, Ihiala local government area, are receiving treatment and regrettably stated that twenty-two people lost their lives,” Ikenga said.
“The CP commiserates with family and friends of the deceased and wishes the injured a quick recovery.”
The stampede occurred on Saturday during a rice distribution event organized by the Obijackson Foundation at Amaranta Stadium in Ojika, Ihiala LGA.
Shortly before the Anambra incident, another stampede occurred during an annual Christmas food-sharing event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claiming the lives of 10 persons.
Earlier last Wednesday in Oyo State, 35 minors were confirmed dead in a stampede at a funfair held at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan.
The incident drew condemnation from many, including the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who vowed to investigate the tragedy’s circumstances.
Makinde also said the state government would arrest those responsible for the incident and commiserate with parents whose children were in the stampede.
A day later, the State Police Command announced that seven suspects had been arrested for their roles in the disaster.
The Command’s spokesman, Adewale Osifeso, said Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife; Fasasi Abdulahi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan; and six others were in police custody.
According to the statement, the ex-queen was named the event’s main sponsor.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements,” Osifeso said.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola’ f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi,’ m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher,’ m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’ m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin,’ m’ age 25yrs.”
The Command’s spokesman also said six persons were injured and receiving treatment in a medical facility.
“So far, 35 minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions,” he added.
Osifeso said the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, where the Deputy Commissioner of Police is in charge of the investigations.
He called on residents not to panic, as they would witness high-level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.
Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)
*CAN mourns food queue stampede victims
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described as a “troubling pattern” three food queue stampedes that claimed at least 67 lives in four days.
In a statement yesterday, CAN President Daniel Okoh expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims of the palliative stampedes in Abuja, Anambra, and Oyo.
The religious institution said it is disturbed by the tragic events at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday morning, where at least 10 people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede while trying to seek help from the church.
“This tragedy is not just statistics; it represents real hurting families. Each person lost was someone’s beloved family member.
“We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand together with you in this time of sadness and prayer,” CAN said.
“This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as Nigeria has experienced two other tragic stampedes this month. On December 18, during a Christmas funfair at a school in Ibadan, a stampede resulted in the deaths of 35 children, with six others critically injured.
“The event aimed to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children. This tragic event is currently under investigation, focusing on better crowd control measures.
“Just a few days later, another stampede occurred during a rice distribution event at a centre in Anambra State. Reports indicate that at least 22 people lost their lives, and 32 others were injured. These heart-breaking incidents highlight the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events.
“In the face of these tragedies, we recognise the importance of coming together to support grieving people. We must listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer help in any way we can. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we help one another heal,” CAN added.
*Group calls on FG to tackle rising hunger
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) said it is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of over 60 lives in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja during recent palliative distribution stampedes.
The association, in a statement on Sunday by the NAS Capn, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said these needless deaths, a grim reflection of the desperation gripping many Nigerians, underscore the rising hunger and economic hardship that has engulfed our nation.
“While we commend the efforts of well-meaning individuals and organizations in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja to alleviate the plight of vulnerable citizens through palliatives, it is evident that these measures have been marred by inadequate planning, poor coordination,” the statement said.
However, the chaotic scenes that led to these fatal incidents are an indictment of the systemic failure to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
The group noted that rising hunger in Nigeria is a national emergency that demands urgent action.
Failure to act decisively will deepen the crisis, with devastating social, economic, and political consequences.
“We mourn with the families of the deceased and demand that the government ensures accountability for this avoidable tragedy. Hunger should never be a death sentence in a country blessed with abundant resources.
“It is time to rise to the challenge of ensuring that every Nigerian can live with dignity, free from the scourge of poverty and hunger,” it added.
Therefore, the association has called on all levels of government to urgently prioritize sustainable solutions to the hunger crisis.
It said, “Palliatives must reach the intended beneficiaries without endangering lives. Transparent and well-organised systems, with the involvement of community leaders and credible NGOs, should be put in place to avoid chaotic distributions.
“Beyond temporary relief measures, the government must develop long-term strategies to enhance food production, support local farmers, and stabilize food prices.
“Programmes aimed at addressing the needs of the most vulnerable must be scaled up. Access to affordable healthcare, education, and social safety nets is critical to lifting millions out of poverty.
“Policies that create jobs and enhance income-generating opportunities should be fast-tracked to reduce dependency on palliatives.”
The association noted that two chapters in Edo State (Area 3) recently had successful palliative programmes, during which over 2000 less privileged persons were fed.
It added that one of the key components of the programme was orderliness.
