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Stampedes Kill 32 in Nigeria During Christmas Food Drive
The death toll from stampedes at two Christmas charity events in Nigeria has risen to 32, police confirmed on Sunday. The victims, including at least four children, died after being crushed in chaotic crowd surges as people desperately sought food amid the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Twenty-two of the victims were in Okija, a town in southeastern Anambra state, where a philanthropist organized a food distribution on Saturday, according to police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga. Another ten people died during a similar charity event in Abuja, the capital.
The stampedes occurred just days after a similar tragedy in which several children lost their lives. Police have launched investigations into the two latest incidents, which have drawn attention to the increasing number of charity events organized by local groups, churches, and individuals during the Christmas season to alleviate economic hardships.
In Abuja, witnesses reported a stampede at one of the church gates around 4 a.m., hours before food and gift items were to be distributed. Many people, including elderly individuals, had waited overnight for the event, and the crowd grew uncontrollable as dozens attempted to rush inside. Loveth Inyang, a witness, recounted rescuing a baby from the crush.
The tragic events have sparked growing calls for government intervention, with many urging authorities to enforce safety measures at such gatherings. Nigerian police have also mandated that organizers obtain prior approval for such events to prevent future tragedies.