At least 67 people, including many children, tragically lost their lives in stampedes during Christmas charity events across Nigeria in the past week. These heartbreaking incidents expose the deepening economic crisis in the country and the extreme measures people are taking to survive.
The stampedes occurred in multiple regions, with 35 children killed in Oyo State, 22 people in Anambra State, and 10 in Abuja, the capital. In Abuja, over 1,000 people gathered at a church, hoping to receive food and clothing. Chaos erupted as the crowd surged, leading to panic and deadly outcomes before the event could even begin.
Economic Strain Fuels Desperation
These tragedies underscore the dire economic conditions many Nigerians are enduring. Inflation has surged to a 28-year high of 34.6%, while the naira’s value continues to plummet. Over 63% of Nigerians live in poverty, struggling to meet basic needs. For many, charity events represent a last hope for survival.
“There is hunger in Nigeria. Every Nigerian needs food,” one woman tearfully told local media after witnessing the chaos in Abuja. With food prices skyrocketing, many Nigerians now spend up to 63% of their income on food, leaving little for anything else.
In Abuja, some victims camped overnight in freezing temperatures to secure their place in line for aid.
Crowd Control and Safety Failures
The stampedes reveal serious flaws in crowd management at charity events. Witnesses in Abuja and Anambra reported that the stampedes began before the events officially started, as people scrambled for the best positions.
Organizers often fail to prioritize safety measures. In Abuja, the church was forced to cancel the event, leaving behind bags of rice and clothing. Experts emphasize that professional security measures and better planning are essential to prevent such tragedies.
Government Response and Public Reactions
In response, President Bola Tinubu has called for stricter regulations, including mandatory approval for charity events. Lagos now requires event organizers with over 250 attendees to register with safety agencies. In Ondo, risk assessments, CCTV monitoring, and emergency plans are now mandatory for gatherings exceeding 300 people. Anambra’s Governor Soludo has proposed decentralized aid distribution and trained crowd control, with similar measures being adopted in Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
However, experts warn that enforcing these measures will be challenging, given the widespread desperation caused by the economic crisis.
“The average Nigerian’s income has been severely squeezed, and when they hear that food is being distributed, they see it as their only chance to survive,” said Cheta Nwanze, managing partner at SBM Intelligence. “Combined with Nigeria’s poor queue culture, this creates the perfect storm for such tragedies.”
As the number of charity events increases, so does the risk of further stampedes. These tragedies highlight the urgent need for economic reforms and effective safety measures to protect lives. For millions of Nigerians, survival remains a daily battle in the face of overwhelming poverty.