At least 19 people have been pronounced dead and dozens of others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a stampede occurred during a free rice distribution in Anambra State.
It was gathered that the victims , who were largely women, had gathered to collect their share of rice distributed by a Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ernest Obiejesi, popularly called Obijackson in Okija, Anambra South Local Government Area of the state.
The tragic incident occurred during a Christmas rice distribution event organized by Obijackson through his local foundation to assist the less privileged celebrate the yuletide better.
Several injured victims were rushed to the local hospital, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the morgue.
It was gathered that the incident also affected the state government, as one aide to Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo reportedly lost two relatives in the stampede.
The aide, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the local government, was deeply affected by the loss.
Confirming the death toll, Anambra State former governor, Peter Obi, commiserated with the deceased families and wished the injured victims speedy recovery.
Obi said: “Now, I just heard that about 19 more lives were lost in another stampede in Okija, Anambra State, as people struggled to receive food items.
“While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organizers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.
“The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.
“How do we explain that in a nation blessed with abundant resources, our people are dying of hunger in such numbers? How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds.
“One can only imagine the pain their families are enduring at this moment. My heart goes out to them. I sincerely commiserate with all the affected families and the good people of Oyo, Anambra, and the FCT over these tragic incidents. May God grant them, and all of us, the strength to bear these painful losses”.
