Deadly Crowd Crushes in Nigeria: 67 Lives Lost at Events Distributing Free Food
Tragedy struck in Nigeria this week as three separate crowd crushes claimed the lives of at least 67 people at events where free food was being distributed. The most recent incident occurred on Saturday in Okija, a town in the south-east, where a charity event turned fatal, leaving 22 people dead.
The event, aimed at providing Christmas donations of rice and vegetable oil to vulnerable residents, spiraled into chaos as attendees scrambled to secure supplies. This marked the third such tragedy in just one week.
Earlier on the same day, a similar disaster unfolded at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Eyewitness Toyin Abdul Kadri described the desperate crowd as they “forced the gates open and pushed their way inside.” Ten people lost their lives in the crush, including four children.
Another devastating incident occurred on Wednesday in Ibadan, a city in south-west Nigeria, where a carnival promising free food ended in the deaths of 35 children. Over 5,000 people had gathered, overwhelming the venue and prompting some parents to scale fences in a desperate bid to access the site.
Hunger and Desperation
These tragic events have drawn attention to the dire economic situation in Nigeria. Rising inflation, tripling food and transportation costs, and high unemployment have left many struggling to survive. Amnesty International Nigeria highlighted the severity of the crisis, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize combating hunger and improving living conditions.
Some of the government’s recent policies, including the removal of a fuel subsidy, were intended to stabilize the economy but have further strained household budgets. Critics argue that more immediate support is needed to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Calls for Change
In response to the tragedies, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the grieving families, stating: “In a season of joy and celebration, we mourn with our fellow citizens. Our prayers are with the families of the victims.” He canceled all official engagements to honor the deceased and called on state authorities to implement stricter crowd control measures.
Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi emphasized the need for a better approach to aid distribution, urging organizers to coordinate with authorities to prevent similar disasters. “These tragic incidents highlight the urgent need for structured and effective systems to deliver aid safely,” he said.
The government’s focus now shifts to preventing further loss of life while addressing the root causes of desperation among its citizens. As the nation mourns, many are left questioning how such preventable tragedies could continue to occur.
