Nigeria: 22 killed during food distribution initiative ahead of Christmas

In a harrowing week for Nigeria, stampedes at three separate events have claimed the lives of at least 67 people, including children, with many others injured. These incidents highlight the growing desperation among citizens grappling with economic hardship in Africa's most populous country.

On Saturday (21 December), a crowd crush in the town of Okija, Anambra state, left 22 people dead as residents gathered at a centre distributing rice to citizens. Anambra police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the toll, noting that investigations into the tragic incident are ongoing.

The same day, another stampede occurred outside the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja, where food was being distributed to vulnerable and elderly individuals. At least 10 people, including four children, were killed, and eight others sustained injuries. Witnesses reported that a surge of people at one of the church gates, many of whom had waited overnight, triggered the deadly crush.

President Bola Tinubu expressed his grief over the twin tragedies, saying, “In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them.” He cleared his schedule to address the crises personally.

Earlier in the week, a stampede during a school holiday funfair in Basorun, Oyo state, killed 35 children and left six gravely injured. The event, reportedly promoted by a local radio station as offering prizes and gifts, drew large crowds. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crush.

The spate of deadly stampedes reflects the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria, where inflation soared to 34.6 per cent in November, up from 33.88 per cent in October. President Tinubu’s austerity reforms, including the devaluation of the naira and the removal of subsidies on fuel and electricity, have exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis.

According to a joint report by the Nigerian government and the United Nations, over 30 million people are expected to face food insecurity in 2024. Chi Lael, a spokesperson for the World Food Programme, remarked, "Never before have there been so many people in Nigeria without food."

In response to rising hunger and poverty, local organisations, churches, and individuals have increasingly organised food and aid distribution events. However, the lack of crowd control and safety measures has turned many of these well-intentioned efforts into tragedies.

The recent incidents underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address Nigeria’s deepening economic woes and to ensure that aid distribution is conducted safely.