The death toll from the tragic stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, according to local authorities on Sunday. The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. He also stated that those who sustained injuries are receiving medical care.

“The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the stampede that occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, are being treated,” Ikenga said. “Regrettably, twenty-two people lost their lives. The CP commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and wishes the injured a swift recovery.”

The stampede happened during a rice distribution event organized by the Obijackson Foundation at Amaranta Stadium in Okija. This is one of several recent stampedes in Nigeria that have resulted in loss of life. Earlier in December, similar tragedies were reported in Abuja and Oyo State.

Shortly before the Anambra incident, a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claimed the lives of 10 people. Just days earlier in Ibadan, Oyo State, a stampede at a children’s funfair led to the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.

These recurring incidents have sparked calls for better crowd management during large-scale events. Prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, have expressed deep sorrow over the tragedies and emphasized the need for systemic changes.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive yet again the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja,” Atiku wrote on his X handle late Saturday. “It is imperative that those entrusted with organizing such large-scale events take utmost care in crowd management, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.”

Peter Obi attributed the incidents to rising hunger and economic hardships, which he believes have driven people to desperation. “I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi wrote on his X account. “While I commend the organizers of these events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to the poor, these tragedies reflect systemic failures in our society. The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes, often at the cost of their lives.”

These events underline the urgent need for robust measures to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during public gatherings, especially in a time of growing economic challenges.

READ ALSO: Tragic Stampedes Claim Lives During Rice and Palliative Distribution in Anambra and Abuja

Two separate stampedes in Anambra and Abuja on Saturday resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 27 people, including children, with many others sustaining injuries.

Anambra: Chaos at Christmas Rice Distribution

In Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra, 17 people lost their lives, and several others were injured during a stampede at the annual Christmas rice distribution by the Obijackson Foundation.

The Foundation, known for its yearly charitable gestures, had attracted a large crowd from across Ihiala and neighboring communities. According to eyewitnesses, people began gathering as early as 5 a.m., eager to secure their share of the distribution. However, when the event started, the crowd became uncontrollable, leading to a deadly stampede.

The victims, primarily women and youths, were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala. A viral video from the scene showed bodies, including those of pregnant women, outside the hospital mortuary, with frantic efforts to revive unconscious victims.

The state police command has yet to release an official statement, but relatives of the deceased were seen grieving at the hospital.

Abuja: Palliative Distribution Turns Deadly

In another tragic incident, at least 10 people, including seven children, died during a palliative distribution at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja. Thousands of residents, predominantly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements, had gathered to receive relief materials.

Eyewitnesses reported that over 3,000 people arrived as early as 4 a.m., but chaos erupted between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. as the crowd surged forward. The stampede led to the deaths of 10 individuals and left many others injured.

Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident, expressing deep regret. “Yes, it’s true, but details are still sketchy,” he said. The church has since suspended the distribution program.

“It’s unfortunate,” an eyewitness lamented. “We came here hoping for relief, but instead, lives were lost. May God rest the souls of the departed and protect us all.”

These tragedies highlight the urgent need for better crowd management and safety protocols during public distributions to prevent similar incidents in the future.