TIMELINE: For Food, 84 Nigerians Have Been Crushed to Death in 2024
In 2024, at least 84 Nigerian lives have been lost at events and programmes that were originally meant to help the poor and put smiles, temporary or not, on people’s faces.
While many have cited shoddy planning and poor organisation by the organisers of such events as the root cause of the disasters that were recorded, some have argued that such could have been avoided had the victims been patient, less desperate and maintained orderliness.
In the last five days alone, about 70 Nigerians died in stampedes that happened during food and gift distribution events in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory.
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Here is a timeline of major events that were originally designed to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, but eventually degenerated into stampedes that led to many deaths in 2024.
CUSTOMS RICE DISTRIBUTION IN YABA, LAGOS (FEBRUARY 23)
On February 23, seven Nigerians lost their lives in a stampede that occurred during a rice distribution exercise the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) organised at its zonal headquarters in Yaba, Lagos.
The NCS had started the distribution on February 22, claiming it was in a bid to help ameliorate the economic hardship in the country.
After the unfortunate incident, the service blamed the deaths recorded on Nigerians’ impatience and disregard for rules and instructions.
Although it was called a distribution exercise, Nigerians were expected to pay N10,000 for a 25kg bag of rice that was worth N77,000 (at the time).
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NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY STAMPEDE (MARCH 22)
On March 22, three students of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), died during a stampede that occurred while bags of rice were being distributed to them as palliatives by the state government.
The incident, which occurred at the university’s convocation square, also left at least 10 other students seriously injured.
The surging crowd of students were said to have overpowered the security personnel guarding the bags of rice, breaking into the square through the gate and causing a stampede.
SHAFA HOLDINGS ALMS STAMPEDE IN BAUCHI (MARCH 23)
On March 23, no fewer than seven people died after a stampede that occurred during an almsgiving exercise organised by Shafa Holdings Company Plc, a petroleum marketing company, in Bauchi State.
The incident was said to have happened when recipients of the alms, mostly women and youths, scampered to collect the N5,000 and N10,000 sums shared at the gathering.
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CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY IN OYO STATE (DECEMBER 18)
Over 35 people, mostly children, died on December 18 in a stampede at a children’s Christmas party hosted by Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, an ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife.
The incident happened at Islamic High School in Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The organisers of the party claimed the unfortunate incident happened due to overcrowding at the venue that was primarily planned to take just 5,000 children.
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HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH, ABUJA STAMPEDE (DECMBER 21)
Three days after the incident in Ibadan, another stampede occurred during a palliative distribution event organised by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama area of Abuja, leaving at least 10 people dead.
The palliative distribution attracted residents from Mpape, Gishiri and other nearby villages.
Recipients were said to have pushed and shoved themselves during a scramble, and while the palliatives were being shared. This eventually led to the crush.
READ ALSO: Govt or Principal: Shocking Truth About Ibadan Stampede Venue Approval Exposed
RICE DISTRIBUTION IN OKIJA, ANAMBRA STATE (DECEMBER 21)
On the same Saturday, 22 people were killed during a stampede in Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident occurred after the inhabitants of the settlement had gone to take part in a rice sharing event organised by Ernest Obiejesi, a philanthropist in the area.
The residents trampled upon each other while the bags of rice were being handed out to people.
Credit: FIJ
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