In a heartbreaking week of chaos and loss, 65 Nigerians tragically died in multiple stampedes as people scrambled for free rice handouts, with Amnesty International holding President Bola Tinubu’s government responsible for the fatal incidents.
The stampedes occurred in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija, areas where desperate citizens were attempting to access food aid. Amnesty International has condemned these deaths, blaming the government for worsening hunger, rising unemployment, and a rapidly declining standard of living.
“Millions of Nigerians are facing the brink of starvation, widespread malnutrition, and extreme poverty,” Amnesty International stated. “These deaths are the result of a hunger crisis exacerbated by the administration’s failure to address the economic struggles of its citizens.”
The three stampedes unfolded within just one week, underscoring the severe consequences of the nation’s deepening hunger crisis. In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, 35 children tragically died during a Christmas event at the Islamic High School in Bashorun.
Reports from SaharaReporters revealed that the event, organised by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was intended as a festive gathering for local children. Agidigbo 88.7 FM, a radio station owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, promoted the event in the days leading up to the tragedy. Yet, the celebration turned into a deadly disaster as children, eager to receive their share of the rice, were crushed in the stampede.
The Oyo State Government confirmed the tragic loss of life, acknowledging the 35 children who died. However, the event’s organisers and authorities have faced criticism for failing to ensure proper crowd control at what should have been a joyful occasion.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, another disaster struck on the morning of Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama. The church was distributing food palliatives to vulnerable and elderly residents when chaos erupted.
Witnesses reported that thousands of people, desperate for food, surged toward the distribution point, causing a stampede that resulted in 10 deaths. Among the victims were four children, leaving families devastated. The FCT Police Command confirmed the fatalities and said that several others sustained injuries in the chaos.
Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed that eight people were injured, four of whom were treated and discharged, while the others continued to receive medical care.
“I was there when it happened,” said a witness at the scene. “It was madness. People were just pushing each other, trying to get rice, and suddenly, the crowd just overwhelmed us.”
The third deadly incident took place in Okija, Anambra State, where yet another stampede occurred during a rice distribution event in the Ihiala Local Government Area. While eyewitnesses initially claimed the number of casualties exceeded 100, the police later confirmed 20 deaths.
A witness video posted online showed horrifying scenes as individuals, including pregnant women and elderly men, were trampled in the scramble for food. “It was so chaotic, you could hear people screaming, but no one could help,” said one onlooker. “People were just trying to get their share of rice, but it turned deadly so quickly.”
Amnesty International has sharply criticised the government for its role in escalating Nigeria’s hunger crisis, which has led to these stampedes. “These deaths are a tragic reminder of the government’s failure to protect its citizens from hunger and economic despair,” the group stated.
The organisation called for immediate action to address the root causes of the crisis, urging the government to tackle rising unemployment, widespread poverty, and the inflationary pressures that have driven many Nigerians to extreme measures in search of food.
The incidents have sparked outrage across the country, with many Nigerians voicing their frustrations on social media. “How many more people must die before the government realises the extent of the suffering in this country?” one Twitter user commented.
With 2024 nearing its end, Nigeria faces an increasingly difficult road ahead, as hunger and economic instability continue to plague millions of families. The deaths in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija are tragic symbols of a nation in crisis, and the call for urgent government intervention has never been more critical.
“As a nation, we must demand better from our leaders,” stated a local activist. “This government has failed its people, and it’s time for change.”
