Death toll rises in stampede at Nigerian charity event – DW – 12/22/2024

The death toll from a stampede at two charity events in Nigeria has risen from 13 to 32, police said on Sunday.

At least 22 people were killed Saturday when they rushed to collect donations including rice, vegetable oil and money at an event in the town of Okija in southeastern Anambra state.

Ten other people, including four children, were crushed to death at a church-organised event in the capital Abuja, where free food was being distributed.

Police said they were investigating the two incidents, which came days after another stampede killed 35 children at a school fair in the southwestern city of Ibadan.

President Bola urges strict control measures

The stampede forced President Bola Tinubu to call on authorities to enforce strict security measures at such events.

More groups and churches are organizing charity events to help people struggling with the rising cost of living in Africa’s most populous country.

Mazo Ezekiel, a spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told AFP that the stampede showed that “precautionary measures are not being taken before the distribution of these items.”

Nigerian police warned organizers to inform authorities before holding such events.

cost of living crisis

Nigeria’s economic hardship has worsened since President Tinubu initiated austerity reforms, including devaluing the country’s naira currency and eliminating subsidies for electricity and fuel.

Inflation rose to 34.6% in November from 33.88% in October, the third consecutive monthly increase.

A joint report by the Nigerian government and the United Nations in November found that more than 30 million people are expected to become food insecure next year.

“Never before have so many people in Nigeria gone without food,” said Chi Lel, the country’s World Food Program spokesman.

lo/kb (AFP, AP, Reuters)