December 21, (THEWILL) – At least 20 people including pregnant and nursing mothers have been killed and several others injured during a stampede at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra state, on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred when the victims were dragging bags of rice provided as Christmas and New Year palliatives by a prominent oil magnate and industrialist from the community.
A viral video of the incident on social media showed some caskets lying beside lifeless bodies with footages of people walking around them and a voice narrating how the incident allegedly occurred.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
“Preliminary information reveals that a known Philanthropist from the Okiaja community, on his yearly schedule, shares some palliatives to the members of the community to provide succour to the less privileged.
“Unfortunately, before the event could start, a large number of uncontrolledf persons took over the event area which resulted in a stampede. Though the details of the affected persons are still sketchy, Police Operatives have taken over the scene for proper investigation, please”, he said.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja, Nigeria’s and Okija, Anambra State.
THEWILL reports that at least 10 people including children and women died earlier on Saturday in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly persons
Commiserating with the victims of the unfortunate incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, President Tinubu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, urged States to deploy crowd control measures. He also directed relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately.
The President noted that it was very disturbing that the events at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, bore a distressing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.
President Tinubu reiterated that the mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.
”In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them”, he said.
President Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi. Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.
The President wished the Lagos State government, organisers of the Boat Regatta, themed ”Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,” a successful and hitch-free festival.
In a related development, reports disclosed that many people were fatally wounded in a stampede in Anambra State.
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