The deaths of over 60 people in three separate stampedes during food-sharing events across Nigeria have sparked widespread outrage and grief, with citizens blaming worsening economic conditions for the tragedies.
AFRIPOST reports that these incidents occurred in Ibadan, where more than 30 people, mostly children, died during a Christmas festival giveaway; in Anambra, where over 20 people lost their lives during a rice distribution event; and in Abuja, where at least 10 people died during a palliative distribution at a church event.
The string of incidents has led to calls for better organization of relief efforts and an urgent review of the country’s welfare policies.
Many Nigerians expressed frustration over the desperation witnessed during these events, blaming the government for failing to address the rising levels of poverty and hunger.
On Twitter, there have been hashtags on the stampedes with users calling for accountability.
“This is what happens when hunger becomes unbearable. Nigerians are dying, not from illness or war, but from trying to survive,” one user tweeted.
Another user wrote: Stampede in Ibadan, 23 children died. Stampede in Anambra, About 10 people died. Stampede in Abuja, About 10 people died. What were this people looking for, Free Rice? May 2023. The day Nigeria died.”
“30+ children dead in Ibadan over stampede for food. 20+ Adults dead in Okija over stampede for food. Nigerians are losing their lives because they’re tying to get something as basic as food. This is beyond sad”, Twitted MrMekzy_
DemolaOfLagos wrote: “In less than 48 hours, we have recorded 3 fatal stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja. 35 dead in Ibadan. 17 dead in Anambra. 10 dead in Abuja. These unnecessary deaths over free food is a pointer that all is not well at all in the country.”
Human rights advocates demand accountability for poorly managed aid distribution
Human rights organizations have condemned the lack of safety measures at the events, describing the stampedes as preventable tragedies.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) criticized the government for its “failure to provide adequate social safety nets” to vulnerable citizens.
A statement from Amnesty International Nigeria described the incidents as a grim reminder of the deepening socio-economic crisis.
“The desperation witnessed at these food distribution events reflects the level of hardship in the country.
Authorities must act immediately to ensure such tragedies do not recur,” the statement read.
Advocates have also called on organizers of charity events to prioritize crowd management and involve security agencies to prevent chaos.
Also, Aisha Yesufu, a strong voice, activist, and social critic on human rights, condemned the stampedes while blaming the Nigerian government for the tragedies.
She took to her Twitter social media platform and wrote: “Godswill Akpabio will dare come and tell us that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transformed Abuja and other Nigerian cities to London. Tinubu has turned the whole of Nigeria into a massive grave.”
Political figures, party leaders clash over responsibility
The stampedes have triggered a war of words between political parties, with opposition leaders blaming the federal government for the dire economic conditions leading to the tragedies.
A PDP chieftain accused the APC-led administration of neglecting the plight of ordinary Nigerians. “These deaths are a result of the unbearable hunger and poverty inflicted on Nigerians by a government that has failed to fulfil its promises,” he said.
Meanwhile, an APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, defended the government, attributing the stampedes to poor planning by event organizers.
He urged governors and National Assembly members to teach Nigerians how they have been sharing palliatives without incident.
In a Facebook post, Igbokwe said, “Given what we saw in Ibadan, Abuja and Anambra I think we need to engage the Governors & National Assembly members to teach us how they have been sharing palliatives for years without tragic consequences. We learn everyday.”
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate has also condemned the stampedes and sympathised with Nigerians affected by the tragedy. In a statement on Twitter, Peter Obi mourned the tragic stampedes while calling for reflection on systemic failures in the country.
While appreciating the efforts of event organizers to support the needy, Obi emphasized that these incidents expose systemic failures and the desperation caused by harsh economic conditions.
Atiku Abubakar a former vice president and the PDP Presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election also weighed in on the stampedes.
His statement read in part: “The anguish is all the more unbearable, as these recent tragedies strike just days after the devastating loss of nearly three dozen innocent children in a similar stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“On behalf of my family, I extend my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in today’s tragic events. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families, that they may find solace and with the departed, that they may rest in eternal peace.
“We also stand in solidarity with the people and governments of Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic Church, especially to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.”
Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress also condemned the tragedies.
His statement read: “Not less than 100 Nigerians have perished in less than a week in Ibadan (Oyo), Okija (Anambra), and Abuja (FCT) just in search of rice; this speaks precisely to the debilitating economic destruction wrought on Nigerians by the @officialABAT regime since his unfortunate ascension to power in May 2023.
“If anyone didn’t know how bad things are and how our people are really desperate for survival, this unprecedented but unwarranted death by hunger -suicide tells the real story.
Nigeria is in trouble and Nigerians are endangered! #RevolutionNow”
The governor of Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also sympathised with the residents of the States affected by the stampedes and its government.
Part of the governor’s sympathy statement read: “It is with profound sorrow that I express my heartfelt condolences to Nigerians, particularly the residents of Anambra state and Abuja, over the tragic loss of many lives during food distribution at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja and a community centre in Okija, Anambra state.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos state, I extend our deepest sympathies to all those who are grieving at the moment. We share in their sorrow and stand with them during this difficult time.”
Experts call for systemic solutions amid rising poverty levels
Economists and social policy experts have warned that such stampedes may become more frequent unless Nigeria addresses the root causes of poverty and hunger.
Professor Uche Igwe, a development expert, said the incidents underscore the urgent need for social welfare reforms.
“Charity cannot replace systemic solutions. The government must strengthen food security programs and ensure equitable distribution of resources,” Igwe said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a probe into the stampedes at the food distribution event in Abuja and Anambra State.
At a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Muyiwa Adejobi quoted the IGP as mandating all police commissioners in the affected states to probe the incidents.
“The IGP has ordered the Commissioners of the affected states to carry out thorough investigations into these ugly incidences for further legal actions,” Adejobi said.
As Nigerians mourn the victims, the incidents have reignited discussions on the urgent need to tackle the worsening economic hardship in the country.
Many are calling for improved safety measures at public events to prevent further loss of life.
