Stampedes at two Christmas charity events in Nigeria have left 32 people dead, police reported on Sunday. Victims included at least four children as overcrowding overwhelmed the distribution efforts.
In southeastern Anambra state’s Okija town, 22 people died during a food distribution event organized by a local philanthropist. In the capital, Abuja, 10 fatalities occurred during a similar church-organized event. Investigations into both tragedies are underway.
Economic Pressures Drive Desperate Crowds
Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis has led to a surge in charity events aimed at easing economic hardship. However, poor crowd management has often turned these efforts deadly.
In Abuja, chaos erupted at 4 a.m. when crowds surged at a church gate, hours before the distribution began. Witnesses like Loveth Inyang, who rescued a baby from the crush, described the desperation among attendees.
Calls for Crowd Safety Intensify
Authorities face mounting pressure to enforce stricter safety measures at public events. Police now mandate prior approval and robust planning for large gatherings.
Stampedes at charity events are not new in Nigeria. In May 2022, a similar tragedy in Port Harcourt left 31 dead during a “Shop for Free” programme organized by a Pentecostal church.
These recent fatalities highlight the urgent need for improved crowd control to prevent future tragedies as Nigeria grapples with its economic challenges.
