Not less than 67 Nigerians lost their lives in the recent tragic distribution of palliatives in Ibadan, Oyo State, Abuja and Okija, Anambra State. The unfortunate victims died during stampedes at the uncoordinated rice distribution venues in the aforementioned states and the Federal Capital Territory. Hundreds of people were seriously injured in the three incidents.
Specifically, about 35 children lost their lives on December 18, 2024 in a stampede during a Christmas funfair event in Ibadan. The incident occurred at Islamic High School, where thousands of children and family members had gathered for cash handouts and food distribution. Six injured children were also hospitalized. The event was reportedly organised by the ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola.
A similar incident took place on Saturday, December 21, in Abuja, which led to the death of10 persons at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja. The incident occurred during an annual charity event organised by parishes of the Catholic Church to distribute foodstuffs to the poor and the vulnerable in the community. In the same vein, about 22 people lost their lives in Okija, Anambra State in a stampede that occurred during the distribution of rice and other food items to the poor and the needy by a business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Ernest Obiejesi, on behalf of Obijackson Foundation, as part of events to mark the yuletide season.
In all these venues, the distribution of the palliative was uncoordinated and crowd control was reportedly poor. In the absence of crowd control, some Nigerians hurried to get some food items hence the stampede and avoidable deaths. President Bola Tinubu has mourned the victims of, Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra stampedes and commiserated with their families. He also cancelled all his official events in Lagos on Saturday, including the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta. Anambra State government also expressed sadness over the tragedy and condoled with families who lost their loved ones. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also mourned the victims of the stampedes.
It has become common for Nigerians to die during the distribution of palliatives. In April this year, nine people were trampled to death and 30 others injured while scrambling for Sallah palliatives at Senator Aliyu Wamakko’s home in Sokoto State. In March 20, two students of the Nasarawa State University died while scrambling for 7.5 kg bags of rice distributed by the state government. Seventeen others, mostly females, were injured. In March 24, at least seven females, with ages ranging from eight to 53, were trampled to death, while others sustained injuries in a stampede at the annual Zakat distribution of N10,000 organised by AYM Shafa Foundation in Bauchi. Earlier in February, seven people were reported killed in Lagos while struggling to buy confiscated rice being sold by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to the public as an intervention in the face of hardship and hunger. The stampede occurred due to poor crowd management by the Customs, as hundreds of people tried to force themselves into the Customs Zonal Office at Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos, venue of the auction.
Extreme hunger in the country and poor crowd control are reportedly responsible for the stampede. Since the removal of petrol subsidy, unification of forex market and other economic policies of the government, prices of goods and services have been on the rise. As a result, a bag of rice that was bought at N30,000 before the harsh measures, rose to N100,000 or more. The prices of other food items such as yam and garri increased astronomically. House rents and transport fares were highly increased. The general hardship in the country made the people turn to food distribution centres for respite.
The recurring loss of lives at palliative distribution venues has become too frequent and embarrassing. Government should put measures in place to reduce the hunger in the country. Let those involved in distribution of palliatives involve the security agents to ensure order and crowd control. The recurring loss of lives at the palliative distribution venues is avoidable. Let the government relax some of the policies that cause extreme hunger and poverty. There is need for government’s intervention to reduce the prices of basic food items. Enough food items should be imported and sold at reduced prices to Nigerians. It remains instructive that the primary function of the government is the security and welfare of the people. Nigerians should have no pact with hunger and poverty considering our enormous material and human resources.
Instructively, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has issued the protocols to be followed by event organisers to avoid stampede and deaths. Let them be heeded. On no account should Nigerians be further exposed to avoidable deaths while rushing for free food items. We commiserate with the families of the victims of the tragic incidents in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija and pray for quick recovery for the injured.