The death toll from stampedes during two Christmas food distribution events in Nigeria has risen to 32, police confirmed on Sunday. The victims, including at least four children, were caught in chaotic crowd surges as people scrambled for food amid the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis.
In Okija, a town in southeastern Anambra State, 22 people died during a food distribution event organized by a local philanthropist on Saturday, according to police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga. Meanwhile, 10 others lost their lives in Abuja, the capital, during a similar charity event hosted by a church.
The incidents come just days after another tragic stampede claimed the lives of 35 children, underscoring the growing desperation in Africa’s most populous nation, where economic hardship has fueled the demand for charity events during the holiday season.
Witnesses of the Abuja stampede described a surge at one of the church gates around 4 a.m., hours before the distribution was set to begin. Loveth Inyang, who was present, recounted rescuing a baby from the crush. Many attendees, including elderly people, had waited overnight in hopes of receiving food.
The tragedies have prompted widespread calls for improved safety measures at such events. Nigerian police have now mandated that organizers obtain prior permission and enforce crowd control protocols to prevent future occurrences.
As communities across the country mourn the loss of lives, the incidents serve as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria during its economic crisis.