A stampede in Okija, Anambra State, claimed the lives of several individuals during a chaotic distribution of food items on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The tragic incident occurred when a well-known philanthropist in the community attempted to distribute Christmas palliatives to residents, attracting an overwhelming crowd.
Most of the victims, reportedly women, were fatally injured during the stampede. Their bodies have been evacuated to a morgue, while details about the number of casualties remain unconfirmed.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident and provided preliminary details.
“Anambra State Police Operatives have taken over the scene in Okija where an alleged stampede occurred in the early hours of today, December 21, 2024, leading to some persons being fatally wounded,” Tochukwu stated.
According to the police, the stampede occurred before the food-sharing event officially began, as a large, uncontrolled crowd surged into the area, causing panic and chaos.
“Though details of the affected persons are still sketchy, police operatives are on the scene to ensure proper investigation,” he added.
This incident follows similar tragedies in other parts of Nigeria. Just days ago, 35 children lost their lives in a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. Another stampede in Abuja claimed 10 lives during the distribution of food items to vulnerable residents.
The repeated occurrences of such tragedies during festive events underscore the need for better crowd management and security measures to ensure the safety of attendees.
Authorities in Anambra State have urged residents to remain calm as investigations into the Okija incident continue.
No comments:
Post a Comment