At least 32 people, including four children, lost their lives in two separate stampedes during Christmas charity events in Nigeria. The incidents occurred amidst widespread economic hardship as large crowds gathered for food and clothing distributions.
In Okija, Anambra State, 22 people died when a food distribution event organized by a philanthropist turned chaotic. Another 10 fatalities were reported in Abuja during a church-organized charity event.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos as gates were opened and crowds surged, causing many to fall and be trampled. “People were trampled until they died,” one witness recounted. Emergency responders worked swiftly to transport victims to hospitals.
These tragedies follow a similar incident in Ibadan days earlier, where dozens of children died in a crush at a holiday funfair.
Charity events, often organized to alleviate economic struggles, have become more common in Nigeria during the holiday season. However, the recent stampedes have sparked calls for stricter safety regulations and mandatory permissions for such gatherings. Authorities are currently investigating the incidents to prevent future occurrences.
