Tragedy struck Okija, Anambra State, on Saturday morning as a rice distribution event descended into chaos, leaving scores feared dead and many others injured. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as women and children were caught in a deadly stampede.
Videos circulating on social media showed lifeless bodies sprawled across the ground, a grim testament to the devastating incident. Several injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals, though the precise number of casualties remains uncertain.
Charles Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor, confirmed the occurrence. He assured the public that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and will issue an official statement shortly.
This tragedy follows closely on the heels of another deadly stampede in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where 35 people—mostly children—lost their lives during a carnival earlier this week. The recurrent nature of such incidents has sparked nationwide concern over the safety measures at public events.
The Okija stampede is not an isolated incident. In March 2024, a similar calamity occurred at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, when students gathered to collect rice donated by the state government. That event ended in fatalities, raising questions about the organisation of food distribution exercises in Nigeria.
Experts point to poor crowd control and inadequate planning as significant factors contributing to these incidents.
Residents of Okija have recounted the chaos that erupted during the event. According to one eyewitness, Amaka Okeke, the distribution point became overcrowded within minutes of opening.
“People were pushing and shouting,” Okeke said. “The organisers couldn’t control the crowd, and suddenly, people started falling. It was terrifying.”
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the organisers for failing to provide security personnel to manage the large crowd. “They should have anticipated that such a gathering would need proper crowd control measures,” he said.
The Anambra State Government has pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly. While an official statement is still pending, a source within the state’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that preliminary findings indicate a lack of coordination at the distribution site.
“This tragedy could have been avoided with better planning and the presence of security operatives to manage the crowd,” the source stated.
The Nigerian public has taken to social media to express outrage and sorrow. Hashtags such as #AnambraStampede and #RiceDistributionTragedy have trended on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with users calling for accountability and systemic reforms.
Food distribution events in Nigeria often draw large crowds, highlighting the country’s struggle with poverty and food insecurity. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 40% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, making food aid a vital lifeline for many communities.
However, the absence of structured systems for distributing aid has led to frequent lapses in safety. Humanitarian organisations and government agencies have been urged to adopt measures such as ticketing systems, staggered distribution times, and the deployment of trained personnel to prevent overcrowding.
Dr. Bisi Akinyele, a sociologist, explained, “The recurring nature of these incidents reflects deeper systemic issues. Beyond providing food, we must address the root causes of poverty and implement safer, more efficient methods of aid distribution.”
Calls for Accountability
Civil society groups have also weighed in, demanding accountability from event organisers and the government. The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy (CHRA) issued a statement condemning the negligence that led to the tragedy.
