A businessman, Mr. Obele Ugo, has revealed that he lost three relatives during the deadly stampede that occurred at the Okija headquarters of the Obijackson Foundation, where residents from various communities in Ihiala Local Government Area had gathered over the weekend to collect Christmas rice.
Amid tears, Ugo shared his grief: “I lost three relatives during the stampede. My maternal uncle lost his wife who went for the rice. My two married sisters from Ubahu Agbugba village also lost their lives in the stampede.”
He explained that many families in Okija and surrounding areas had also been affected, noting that the tragedy was unexpected, as the event had been held annually for the past 14 years without incident.
Organizers of the event shared their perspective, lamenting that despite the good intentions of the Obijackson Foundation, the desperation of the crowd contributed to the catastrophe.
One organizer explained: “Announcement was made in all the 30 villages in Okija for people to come over and get their palliatives on Saturday and the people were assured that there were enough palliatives for everyone.”
The event was set to begin at 9am, but by 12 midnight, people were already gathering at the gates.
“By 4am, the entire foundation was a beehive of activities. Old women, men, the sick, and youths already parked themselves at the gate, in order to be the first to collect,” the organizer said.
The chaos escalated when vehicles transporting seats couldn’t get through, leading to a gate malfunction.
As one side of the gate was opened, people forced their way in, causing a stampede.
“In the melee, people were trampled upon. Most of the people who were affected were those who slept over to be the first to carry rice.”
The organizer further added: “One man who came with his family managed to jump in through the fence, but his wife and child couldn’t. These palliatives were meant for adults and youths, but many families came with toddlers.”
The scene became chaotic as people climbed on top of one another, stepping on the aged and weak.
“It was a chaotic scene, and the result was the death of several people,” the organizer lamented.
Following the incident, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the death toll had risen to 22.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga stated:” The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede are receiving treatment and regrettably stated that 22 people lost their lives.”
The stampede, along with similar incidents across the country, has sparked national outrage. Vice President Kashim Shettima condemned the tragedy, calling it a “national tragedy” and offering prayers for the victims and their families.
He further stated, “I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation.”
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the stampedes across Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, offering condolences to the governors of the affected states and the victims’ families.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also expressed regret over the loss of lives in Okija and at the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Maitama.
“The deaths at Maitama were particularly poignant for me as I am the Grand Patron of St. Vincent de Paul, the organisation that provides the palliatives,” Uzodimma stated in a condolence message.
Similarly, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths.
He noted, “I, on behalf of my family and the good people of Ogun State, commiserate with my brother governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.”
Femi Falana, Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), attributed the stampede to “criminal negligence and poverty,” adding that ASCAB would mobilize lawyers to ensure survivors and families of the victims are properly compensated.
The stampede tragedy also sparked political debate, with former presidential aide Reno Omokri urging former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi not to politicize the tragedy.
Omokri said, “One would have expected Mr. Peter Obi to have condoled with the families and moved on,” instead of seeking political benefit from the deaths.
