The death toll from the tragic stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, stated that an investigation into the incident has commenced. Ikenga, a Superintendent of Police, added that the injured are receiving medical care.
“The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede, which occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, are being treated. Regrettably, he confirmed that 22 lives were lost,” Ikenga said.
“The Commissioner of Police extends his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”
The stampede occurred during a rice distribution event at Amaranta Stadium in Okija, organized by the Obijackson Foundation. The event, which was meant to alleviate hunger, turned into a tragedy as the crowd surged uncontrollably.
This incident is the latest in a series of deadly stampedes in Nigeria. Just days before, stampedes in Abuja and Oyo State claimed the lives of 15 people. In Abuja, a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church during a charitable event left 10 dead, while in Ibadan, Oyo State, a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of at least 35 children and injured six others.
The repeated stampedes have sparked nationwide calls for better crowd management at large-scale events. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his grief and urged organizers to prioritize safety in crowd control.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja,” Atiku posted on X on Saturday. “Those entrusted with organizing such events must prioritize safety and take extreme caution in managing crowds.”
Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, also expressed his sadness over the tragic loss of lives. “While I commend the organizers for their efforts to provide palliatives to the needy, these tragedies are a stark reminder of the systemic failures that plague our society,” Obi wrote on X. “The desperation for survival, especially in these harsh economic times, has driven people to extreme measures in their search for food, often with fatal consequences.”
The string of deadly stampedes underscores the mounting hunger and desperation among Nigerians, highlighting the urgent need for effective crowd management and better social safety nets in the country.
