Nigeria has been rocked by a series of deadly stampedes that have claimed the lives of over 105 people in just a few months. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has blamed these tragedies on “criminal negligence” and “poverty-induced neoliberal economic policies,” calling for urgent reforms.
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana, the chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), condemned the loss of life and called for justice for the victims. He described the events as a “national shame” and pointed to the systemic poverty and government neglect that contributed to these avoidable deaths.
“These tragic events are a national shame,” Falana said. “The victims were not just statistics but human beings driven to desperation by systemic poverty and the gross incompetence of those entrusted with their safety.”
The most recent stampede occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Anambra State, where 12 people were killed and 32 others injured during a scramble for rice distributed by a philanthropist. The chaos erupted as people rushed for food in an environment poorly prepared to handle the crowd.
On the same day, a separate stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claiming 10 lives, including children. More than 3,000 people had gathered to collect palliative items, leading to the deadly crush.
Two days earlier, on December 19, 35 children lost their lives at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. The event, held at the Islamic High School in Basorun, turned into a disaster as overcrowding led to the children being crushed in the stampede.
“The loss of these innocent lives is heart-wrenching,” Falana said. “It underscores the indignity that poverty imposes on our people.”
These incidents are part of a grim pattern that has been unfolding across the country. In April 2024, nine people died in Sokoto during a chaotic palliative distribution at the residence of former governor Aliyu Wamakko. In March 2024, another tragedy occurred in Bauchi, where seven people, including an eight-year-old girl, lost their lives during a charity event that involved distributing ₦5,000 cash gifts. Just days before that, two students died, and 23 others were injured during a palliative distribution event at Nasarawa State University in Keffi.
The issue dates back to May 22, 2022, when a stampede during a church charity event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, led to 30 deaths due to overcrowding and poor organisation.
Falana condemned the way the elite treat the poor during such events, referring to the distribution of food and aid as a reflection of “class prejudice.” He criticised the way humanitarian efforts are carried out, saying that no one from the elite would invite others to lunch by throwing food. His comments highlighted the deep divide between the wealthy and the poor in Nigeria.
“The way these events are organised shows a lack of respect for the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said. “There is a need to address these inequalities that put lives at risk.”
In response to these repeated tragedies, the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond announced plans to mobilise lawyers and pursue civil suits against the organisers of these events. Falana emphasised that survivors and the families of the deceased should receive adequate compensation for the loss of their loved ones.
“We will ensure survivors and families of the deceased are adequately compensated,” he said. “Those responsible for these avoidable tragedies must be held accountable.”
The call for justice extended beyond compensation. Falana urged the Nigerian government to take decisive action to prevent further stampedes and loss of life.
“Enough is enough!” he declared. “These events reflect the harsh realities of inequality in our nation and the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect the dignity and lives of our citizens.”
The tragedies also led to calls for greater government intervention. Several organisations, including the Nigerian Red Cross and local authorities, have been urged to improve safety measures at events involving large crowds.
The stampedes serve as a stark reminder of the deepening poverty in Nigeria, where many people, struggling to meet basic needs, are left vulnerable to dangerous situations when they seek food or aid.
Despite Nigeria’s wealth in natural resources, poverty remains widespread. A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, with limited access to essential services like healthcare, education, and social safety nets. For many, events like palliative distributions or charity giveaways are seen as their only chance of survival, making them desperate to participate. This desperation, combined with inadequate crowd control measures, often results in tragic consequences.
Falana’s statement is part of a national conversation about inequality, human rights, and the need for reform. While public outrage over the events is growing, many are calling for both immediate action to prevent future tragedies and long-term solutions to address the root causes of poverty and inequality in the country.
Local governments and event organisers are under increasing pressure to ensure that proper crowd management techniques are put in place during charity events. It is hoped that these measures will reduce the risk of further tragedies and ensure that such events benefit those in need, rather than becoming sites of suffering and loss.
