In a heart-wrenching turn of events, at least 35 lives have been lost in tragic stampedes across Nigeria, with the latest incidents occurring in the capital city of Abuja and Okija, Anambra State. These fatalities, resulting from chaotic and poorly organized palliative distributions, have prompted an urgent investigation by the Nigerian Police.
On the morning of December 21, 2024, a devastating stampede took place at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja. While the church had organised a distribution of food items to assist vulnerable citizens, the event descended into disaster. At least 10 people lost their lives in the frenzy, with many more injured.
This latest tragedy follows an equally distressing event in Ibadan, Oyo State, where on December 18, 2024, a stampede during a children’s funfair claimed the lives of 35 children. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety and management of such events, particularly during this period of heightened vulnerability for many Nigerians.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, swiftly responded by directing the Commissioners of Police in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic events. According to the Police Force’s spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, organisers of these events failed to request proper police security, raising alarms about the lack of oversight.
“This has become a trend that must be addressed. There is no organised framework for these distributions, and this results in chaos,” IGP Egbetokun said. “The involvement of security agencies is not negotiable. It is criminal negligence to conduct such events without ensuring the safety of the public.”
As details of the stampedes unfold, it has been revealed that the organisers of the Abuja, Okija, and Ibadan events did not make formal requests for police protection. Without official coordination, these events became prone to overcrowding and panic, which contributed to the deadly outcomes.
The tragedy at Okija, where a palliative distribution event led by philanthropist Obi Jackson turned deadly, has also been met with shock. The stampede there claimed the lives of at least three individuals, with several others severely injured. As of now, the wounded have been rushed to local hospitals for medical attention.
Witnesses recount harrowing scenes of panic, with many people struggling to escape the chaos. “I almost lost my 3-year-old son in the Abuja stampede. We were trapped under people. It was so terrifying,” one survivor shared. “What do we eat now? But at what cost?” Another survivor from Okija echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the urgent need for better crowd control measures at such events.
The IGP’s statement also warned organisers of such events about their legal responsibilities. “The negligence demonstrated by these organisers could lead to criminal charges. We cannot allow this to continue. The safety of Nigerians is paramount,” he said. Under Nigerian law, organisers of such events who fail to request security or make proper arrangements may face serious consequences.
Further investigations have revealed that there were no clear plans for crowd control or emergency measures at the events in question. The unstructured nature of these distributions led to desperate actions by citizens seeking to obtain food and aid, resulting in violent confrontations.
“This is criminal negligence. No one should ever have to suffer or lose their lives just to receive aid,” said an expert in disaster management. “The government must enforce strict guidelines for the organisation of palliative distributions to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
In response to the growing outcry, the IGP has called on community leaders, government officials, and non-governmental organisations to take responsibility for organising aid efforts in a manner that prioritises safety. “We must work together to ensure that these events are conducted in an orderly and safe manner, especially for the vulnerable members of society,” IGP Egbetokun added.
The tragic stampedes have also sparked a wider debate about the distribution of aid in Nigeria. Critics argue that while the intention behind these events is noble, the lack of a coordinated system puts lives at risk. Many are calling for the establishment of a nationwide protocol for distributing relief materials during festive periods, particularly in a nation where poverty and inequality often drive citizens to desperation.
As investigations continue, the Nigerian Police have vowed to bring the full weight of the law against anyone found responsible for failing to adhere to safety protocols. The IGP has emphasised that justice will be served for the families of the victims and that steps will be taken to prevent future occurrences.
“These tragic deaths should not be in vain,” IGP Egbetokun concluded. “We must learn from these events and implement better strategies for future distributions.”
