RIPPLES NIGERIA
Claim: Politician and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore claimed that no less than 100 Nigerians have perished in stampedes in Oyo State, (Okija) Anambra and Abuja, Federal Capital Territory in search for food.
Verdict: Misleading.
Full Text:
Sowore recently claimed on X that “not less than 100 Nigerians have perished in less than a week in Ibadan (Oyo), Okija (Anambra), and Abuja (FCT) just in search of rice…”.
The claim reads in full: “Not less than 100 Nigerians have perished in less than a week in Ibadan (Oyo), Okija (Anambra), and Abuja (FCT) just in search of rice; this speaks precisely to the debilitating economic destruction wrought on Nigerians by the @officialABAT regime since his unfortunate ascension to power in May 2023.
“If anyone didn’t know how bad things are and how our people are really desperate for survival, this unprecedented but unwarranted death by hunger-suicide tells the real story. Nigeria is in trouble and Nigerians are endangered! #RevolutionNow”.
The “search of rice” in the politician’s post refers to a series of events which happened over the week in which many people were injured and many children reportedly died during stampedes in the rush for freebies.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu-led administration has initiated a number of reforms which average citizens are yet to feel the impact of.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, headline Inflation has increased by 6.40 percent on a year-on-year basis. It rose last month, too; from 33.88 percent in October to 34.60 percent in November (0.72 percent increase).
Beyond the figures, increase in prices of staple foods continue to compound the crippling hardship of the people, though the government claims the economy is improving.
Sowore’s commentary on the recent events and his terse remarks on the state of affairs has gained more than seven thousand engagements on X.
Ripples Nigeria observed that among those engaging the post, only a few criticise the authenticity of the number of casualties. Instead, many vehemently criticised the government.
Ripples Nigeria reports that incidents of stampedes in events related to sharing of freebies have reportedly claimed many unconfirmed numbers of lives.
Ripples Nigeria had reported that more than 30 children have reportedly died and several others were injured in a stampede that occurred during a carnival in Oyo State.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, on Wednesday, the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair at Basorun Islamic High School in Ibadan.
Oyelade added that the government immediately mobilised a rapid response team following the incident.
This newspaper later confirmed that 35 children died in the aftermath of the incident, while the injured are still receiving treatment.
Ripples Nigeria had also reported that another stampede occured on Saturday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja. At least 10 people, including children, reportedly died while several others sustained injuries in the aftermath.
According to reports, the tragedy occcured as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church. The event, organised to provide relief to struggling residents, drew over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.
Another incident occurred at Obijackson Foundation in Okija, in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday reportedly claiming the lives of 17 persons.
The stampede occurred during the sharing of palliatives including rice, vegetable oil and money.
Several media outlets reported that 12 people died from the incident while 32 sustained varying degree of injuries.
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