December 21, 2024 – Nigeria
by RIFNOTE
A series of devastating stampedes across Nigeria in the past few days have resulted in at least 66 deaths, as desperate citizens scrambled for food palliatives amid the ongoing economic hardships in the country. These tragedies unfolded just days apart, with incidents occurring in Ibadan, Oyo State, Abuja, and Okija, Anambra State, leaving the nation in shock and raising concerns over public safety and crowd control.
The Oyo State Tragedy
The first tragedy occurred on December 18, when 36 people, including several children, were killed in a stampede during a children’s carnival at the Islamic High School in Ibadan. The event, which was intended to provide entertainment for local children, quickly descended into chaos as thousands of people surged forward to claim their share of Christmas aid. This stampede was one of the deadliest crowd disasters in recent history, with victims crushed underfoot or suffocated in the melee.
Similar Tragedies in Abuja and Anambra
The chaos continued just days later on December 21, when at least 10 people died during a food distribution event organized by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja. Thousands of residents, many of whom had been waiting since early morning, were caught in the stampede as the crowd surged uncontrollably. Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred between 7:00 and 8:00 am, as the distribution of palliatives, meant to ease the burden on struggling families, went awry. The church was forced to suspend the event, and security personnel were deployed to restore order.
The same day, another deadly stampede took place in Okija, Anambra State, during a Christmas rice distribution organized by a local community leader. The incident, which claimed the lives of at least 19 people, occurred when the crowd became uncontrollable as the distribution began. Eyewitnesses reported that victims, including women and pregnant women, were trampled as people desperately fought for access to the food. The bodies of the deceased were transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala, where the full extent of the tragedy was revealed.
Government and Public Response
The tragic events have led to widespread outrage and calls for better crowd control measures. President Bola Tinubu, upon learning of the incidents, canceled all his official engagements in Lagos as a mark of respect for the victims. In a statement, he expressed his condolences and called for strict enforcement of safety protocols at public events. “These mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards,” Tinubu said, emphasizing the importance of pre-and post-event safety.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered thorough investigations into the stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja. In a statement, he warned that event organizers who fail to ensure adequate security measures would face legal consequences. “Negligence on their part is criminal and would not be overlooked,” the IGP stated.
Root Causes: Hunger and Economic Struggles
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has pointed to worsening hunger and the country’s growing economic challenges as key factors behind these stampedes. Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of CISLAC, criticized the government for being out of touch with the realities on the ground, calling for urgent action to address the food insecurity and rising poverty that have pushed many Nigerians to desperate measures. “These tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society,” he said.
Political and Social Implications
Political figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, have weighed in on the tragic events, with Obi highlighting how the country’s systemic problems—such as poverty and unemployment—have led citizens to extreme actions in their struggle for survival. “The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes,” Obi stated. “These tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also extended his condolences to the people of Oyo State, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
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