Stampede at charity events in Nigeria: 32 people died, President Tinubu expressed grief

Enambrah 32 people have been tragically killed in stampedes at two separate charity events in Nigeria's Anambra state and capital Abuja. 22 people lost their lives during a rice distribution program in Okija, Anambra, while 10 people, including four children, died during a food distribution program in Abuja.

The event was organized to distribute bags of rice to needy women, and overcrowding led to the fatal overcrowding. State broadcaster Radio Nigeria reported that hundreds of people rushed to the community centre, causing chaos as people rushed forward desperate to get food.

Christian Aburim, chief press secretary to the Anambra state governor, said the victims included “women, the elderly, pregnant (women), lactating mothers and children.” The charity event was organized by the Obie Jackson Foundation, which aimed to distribute relief materials to less-privileged community members during the festive season.

Aburime said the purpose of the event was to “distribute relief goods,” but the resulting disaster underlined the need for “a more structured and safe approach to distributing such aid.”

On the same day, another mob attack took place in Maitama, a district of the Nigerian capital Abuja. Ten people, including four children, died in a food distribution program organized at a local church. Police said more than a thousand people had gathered for the event, resulting in a fatal overcrowding.

A devastating blow to our community.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Ignatius Ayau Kaigama described the incident as a “devastating blow to our community,” adding that he was mourning the victims with “deep shock and sorrow.” In response to the tragedies, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu canceled his appearance at a boat regatta in Lagos. His Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that the President “sympathised with the victims of the unfortunate incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory.”

President Tinubu “called on states and relevant authorities to immediately implement crowd control measures.” Expressing solidarity with the mourning citizens, he said, “In the season of joy and celebration, we mourn with fellow citizens mourning the painful loss of our loved ones.”

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The incidents came just days after a mob lynching in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, left at least 35 children dead, CNN reported.

The event, organized to present awards to children under the age of 13, was expected to be attended by 5,000 people, but it ended in tragedy. Following these incidents, Nigeria is facing increased scrutiny over crowd control and security measures at large public gatherings.

(with agency input)