No fewer than 39 Nigerians have lost their lives following stampedes during food-sharing events in Okija, Anambra State, and Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday, according to reports by SUNDAY PUNCH.
In the struggle to get ahead and obtain the free food items distributed by organisers, the residents trampled upon one another, leading to the deaths.
While 10 residents died in Abuja, a similar incident occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives and several others were left critically injured during a funfair. The funfair was held on December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan.
In the Saturday Abuja stampede, 10 persons were confirmed dead at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, where the outreach was held.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred around 6am during an annual charity event organised by parishes of the Catholic Church to distribute foodstuffs to the poor and the vulnerable in the community.
An eyewitness, who identified himself as John, said the crowd remained orderly until around 5am.
He said, “Many people came from Mararaba, Nyanya, and Mpape areas to benefit from the church’s food distribution.
“To be honest, the church didn’t anticipate the size of the crowd that showed up. Although there were two security operatives on duty, they couldn’t manage the growing crowd effectively.
“Initially, everyone was orderly, but as the day broke, the number of people doubled. In their desperation to get the rice first, people began pushing and shoving. Before we knew it, we started hearing cries for help from those who had fallen or sustained injuries. The police came to rescue those injured and dispersed others who waited behind with the hope that the distribution would continue.”
The Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said 10 persons died in the incident, while eight others were injured and had been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Similarly, the Head of Public Affairs of the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, in a statement, confirmed the incident, adding that 10 persons were injured.
“The stampede occurred while the church was distributing palliatives to the less privileged members of society. The unfortunate event occurred at 6:30 am today,” the statement partly read.
RC: PUNCH NEWSPAPER
