Over the years, many Nigerians have tragically lost their lives in preventable stampedes. Shoddy planning, poor organisation, impatience, desperation, and other factors have contributed to these avoidable disasters in large gatherings.
Innocent lives have been lost prematurely in stampedes, ranging from church events to food distribution and recruitment exercises. Food distribution is the major driver of all of these stampedes.
In the last three days, at least 65 persons have lost their lives in stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the federal capital territory (FCT).
In Oyo state, over 35 persons, mostly children, died on Wednesday during a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
The carnival organisers reportedly offered free food items to the first 5,000 attendees. The freebies enticed many people, and as a result, a large crowd besieged the venue long before the scheduled time.
In Abuja, ten people died on Saturday during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama. Many people had gathered at the church premises for an event to distribute relief items.
On the same day, at least 20 people reportedly died in the Ojika community of Anambra during a stampede that occurred at a rice and gift-sharing event.
One thing was common in the three most recent stampede incidents: people left their homes to collect food.
TheCable highlights some notable stampedes that happened in the past and claimed lives.
KWARA SALLAH STAMPEDE
On October 16, 2013, about 20 people died, and several others were injured during a Sallah stampede in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
The incident was said to have happened during the annual Eid al-Fitr food distribution exercise by Bukola Saraki, former senate president.
THE ANAMBRA CHURCH STAMPEDE
On November 2, 2013, at least 25 people died, and 200 others were injured during a stampede that occurred at Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry in Uke, Idemili South LGA of Anambra state.
Many worshippers were trampled upon during a mad rush that occurred on the church premises.
It was reported that some worshippers falsely raised the alarm of a fire outbreak during the church programme, which led to worshippers scampering for safety.
THE IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT FIASCO
Many Nigerians cannot forget the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) nationwide recruitment exercise of March 15, 2014. Millions of job seekers besieged test centres nationwide, including the FCT.
At least 16 persons were confirmed dead, and many were injured as a result of overcrowding, stampede, and exhaustion. The death toll was mostly recorded in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Minna, and Benin City.
In November 2016, the federal government said it had concluded plans to employ families of the dead victims.
THE PORT HARCOURT CHURCH STAMPEDE
On May 28, 2022, over 31 persons were confirmed dead in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, following a stampede at the venue of a church programme in the state.
The King’s Assembly organised the ‘Shop for Free’ programme, during which attendees were expected to receive free food items.
The freebies led to a surge in the number of attendees.
The movement of the crowd, which resulted in a stampede, led to the death of scores of persons.
THE LAGOS CHURCH TRAGEDY
On August 18, 2022, two people died, and many others were injured in a stampede at the Comfort Life Mission International Church located in the Ikotun area of Lagos state.
The stampede occurred during a church crusade. It was said to have happened after worshippers who came for a second service tried to gain entry.
THE CUSTOMS RICE RUSH
On February 23, 2024, at least seven people died in a rush that occurred during the distribution of seized bags of rice by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos.
NCS had commenced the distribution of food items seized from smugglers to ameliorate the country’s economic hardship.
To get the 25kg of rice, interested Nigerians were told to pay N10,000 and provide their national identification number (NIN).
Many Nigerians stormed the NCS command in the Yaba area of Lagos to buy the rice, which led to the unfortunate incident.
PALLIATIVE STAMPEDE AT NASARAWA VARSITY
On March 22, three students of Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) died in a stampede that occurred during the distribution of rice donated by the state government at the university’s convocation square. Several students were also said to have sustained injuries during the incident.
THE BAUCHI ALMS MISFORTUNE
On March 23, 2024, seven persons were trampled to death during an almsgiving exercise at Shafa Holdings Company Plc on Jos Road in Bauchi.
Several persons were also injured during the exercise organised by the company.
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