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Hunger! Anger as over 75 Nigerians die in Stampede while struggling for food
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No fewer than 75 Nigerians seeking alms tragically lost their lives in stampedes over the past four days, sparking widespread anger across the Nigeria.
Amid the ongoing economic difficulties facing the population, almsgiving events have attracted large crowds, often resulting in fatal stampedes.
In the past four days alone, three separate stampedes have occurred during food and item distributions organized by individuals, groups, and religious organizations.
40 Children Die in Ibadan Funfair Tragedy
A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, December 18, at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, where about 40 children lost their lives in a stampede at a funfair organized by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife. The Oyo State Police reported recovering 35 bodies at the scene, with six others severely injured and hospitalized. However, the death toll rose to 40 by December 20 as more victims succumbed to their injuries. Naomi and several event sponsors were arrested as the police began investigating the cause of the tragedy.
More Than 20 Dead in Anambra Rice Distribution Stampede
In Okija, Anambra State, a stampede at a rice distribution event organized by the Obijackson Foundation resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people on December 21. The large turnout and desperate scramble for the rice caused the tragedy. Several others remain critically injured.
The Federal Capital Territory was also affected by a stampede on Saturday, December 21, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, where about 15 alms seekers were killed during a food distribution. According to the police, 10 bodies were recovered, including four children and six adults. However, witnesses reported more casualties. The incident occurred when the crowd exceeded expectations, and the organizers lost control of the situation.
Public Outcry and Criticism of Tinubu’s Government
The series of tragedies have prompted widespread criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government, with many attributing the incidents to the worsening economic conditions in the country.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore declared that these events reflect the deep crisis Nigeria is facing under the current administration. He argued that the economic hardships have exacerbated the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
Aisha Yesufu: Tinubu is Responsible
Aisha Yesufu, a prominent socio-political activist, expressed her dismay at the incidents, accusing President Tinubu of creating a situation where such tragedies have become commonplace. She criticized the administration for turning Nigeria into a “massive grave.”
Ezekwesili and Obi: Economic Crisis at the Heart of the Tragedies
Former Education Minister Obiageli Ezekwesili also highlighted the economic distress in Nigeria, stating that these stampedes reflect the devastating food poverty affecting many Nigerians. Similarly, former presidential candidate Peter Obi lamented the country’s inability to feed its people despite its abundant resources, attributing the tragedy to poor leadership.
Osita Okechukwu, an APC founding member, urged the nation to focus on empathy rather than blame. He emphasized the need for urgent reforms to address the country’s economic challenges and put the needs of the people at the center of policy decisions.
Police Warning on Charitable Events in the FCT
The FCT Police Command issued a warning, stating that any organization or individual planning charitable events in the capital must notify the police in advance to ensure adequate security measures. Failure to do so could lead to liability for any resulting harm or loss of life.
The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has rubbished reports circulating on social media alleging that he conferred a chieftaincy title on popular Nollywood actor and comedian, James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
In a statement on Saturday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare said the Ooni clarified that although he warmly received the actor and his wife at the Ile Oodua Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the birth of his son and presented him with a brand-new car and cash gifts as a demonstration of his fatherly love and royal generosity, no chieftaincy title was conferred on him.
According to him, the expression “Awada Konge Oduwa,” which Baba Ijesha later described on his social media pages as a chieftaincy title, was merely a light-comedy remark made by the Ooni during a relaxed interaction in recognition of the actor’s outstanding career as a comedian.
The remark was never intended to constitute a formal installation or conferment of a traditional title.
The Ooni noted that Baba Ijesha, as an indigene of Ile-Ife and a proud son of the source, is deserving of honour and could be considered for a chieftaincy title in the future.
However, no such title has been conferred on him.
“The conferment of chieftaincy titles in Ile-Ife remains a sacred traditional process governed by established customs, consultations and traditional rites, which are publicly conducted in accordance with the age-long traditions of the source. None of these customary procedures took place during the actor’s visit to the Palace, “he said.
While appreciating Baba Ijesha for acknowledging the royal kindness extended to him and his family, the Ooni urged media organisations and members of the public to disregard reports claiming that the actor has been installed as the “Awada Konge Oduwa” or conferred with any chieftaincy title.
The Ooni reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating and supporting deserving sons and daughters of Ile-Ife and the Oodua race at large while preserving the sanctity, dignity and integrity of the revered traditional institution of chieftaincy.
The Presidency has called on security and anti-graft agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute government officials who may have collaborated with Prince Matthew Adeniyi Adeyemi in the alleged operation of two fictitious federal government agencies.
Adeyemi is accused of creating the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council using allegedly forged documents purportedly linked to the Presidency.
In a statement on his verified X handle, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said investigators must go beyond Adeyemi and expose the internal network that allegedly enabled him to operate for an extended period.
Ajayi urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate all officials within public institutions who may have aided the alleged scheme.
According to Ajayi, much of the public debate has ignored the fact that government institutions detected the alleged fraud and acted on it.
He said officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, working with officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, first discovered inconsistencies in Adeyemi’s operations and reported the matter to the appropriate authorities.
“Contrary to the anything-goes narrative being promoted, it was the system itself that raised the red flag and dealt with it administratively,” Ajayi said.
He, however, acknowledged that the suspect could not have operated for long without help from insiders.
“What is not in doubt is that internal collaborators enabled Adeyemi to get this far. That is precisely what investigators from the DSS, the Police and the EFCC must now unravel.
“The criminal network within the affected institutions must be dismantled and everyone found to have played a role should be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The Presidency had earlier disowned the disowned the two organisations, insisting that they did not exist as government agencies.
It also maintained that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, neither authorised Adeyemi’s activities nor had any connection with them.
“In Nigeria, the easiest and most believable allegation anyone can throw at a public officer is corruption.
“Once that accusation is thrown into the mix, the water is polluted, the lines are blurred and everyone is kept busy arguing over distractions rather than the real issues,” he wrote.
He described Adeyemi as “an irredeemable con artist” who was using allegations against the Chief of Staff as “his last straw” to avoid criminal liability.
The Presidency insisted that the case should not be framed as evidence of complicity at the highest levels of government, but as an alleged fraud uncovered by the system itself.
Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Abuja Region has announced a planned preventive maintenance at the Katampe 132/33 KiloVolt (kV) Transmission Substation on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, made this announcement in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.
Mbah said the scheduled maintenance is to enable TCN’s maintenance crew carry out preventive maintenance on the 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) 132/33kV Power Transformer (TR1), its auxiliaries, and associated switchgear in the substation.
”Consequently, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, will be unable to off-take bulk power for distribution to customers in parts of Mpape, Maitama, Jahi, Life Camp,
”Others are Kado Fish Market, Idu-Karmo, and their environs during the maintenance period,” she said.
According to her, the company regrets any inconvenience the planned outage may cause electricity customers in the affected areas.
She added that equipment maintenance is essential to ensure their continued optimal performance.
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