Tragedy struck in Okija, Anambra State, on Saturday, December 21, when a stampede at a food distribution event claimed the lives of several individuals.
The victims, mostly women, had gathered to receive Christmas food items from a prominent philanthropist in the community.
The overwhelming crowd, drawn by the promise of relief packages, surged uncontrollably, leading to the fatal incident. Those who lost their lives were evacuated to the morgue, while police operatives secured the area for investigation.
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Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the stampede and extended sympathies to the victims’ families.
“Preliminary information reveals that a known philanthropist from the Okija community, on his yearly schedule, shares palliatives to provide succor to the less privileged. Unfortunately, before the event could start, a large number of uncontrolled persons took over the area, resulting in a stampede,” SP Tochukwu said.
He added that police operatives have taken over the scene for proper investigation and promised updates as more details emerge.
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This tragic event follows similar incidents earlier in the week. Thirty-five children died in a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, while 10 individuals lost their lives in a stampede during a palliative distribution at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja.
The Okija incident has reignited calls for better crowd control and security measures during public events to prevent further loss of lives. Authorities and organizers are urged to prioritize safety protocols in future events.