62 die in scramble for free food as Nigeria’s economic situation worsens 

No fewer than 62 people have died within four days in struggle to get free food in three separate incidents in Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja.

This is coming as Nigeria’s inflation rate hits 34.60% in November, and most Nigerians unable to properly feed themselves.

On December 18, a total of 35 people died and five criticality injured in a stampede for free food in Ibadan.

At least 10 people, including children, were confirmed to have died and several others injured during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.

Another stampede for free food occurred in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where 17 people reportedly died.

In all the incidents, thousands of hungry Nigerians turned out for the palliatives,  leading to stampede and death.

Eyewitnesses described the scenes as chaotic and tragic. One said at least seven of the deceased in the Abuja tragedy were children.

In Anambra the 17 people died while scrambling to collect rice doled out by Obijackson Foundation.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims, mostly women and youths, were at the venue as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday, waiting for the distribution to begin.

The eyewitness said that the crowd became uncontrollable when the distribution began, leading to the stampede.

The dead bodies, and those who sustained injuries, were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

In a viral video, dead bodies, including pregnant women, littered the vicinity of the hospital’s mortuary.

The video also showed chaotic scenes of people rushing to escape, with some trying to revive those who fell unconscious.

The state police command is yet to confirm the incident, but many relatives of the victims were seen sobbing uncontrollably.

The Abuja incident also occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.

The event, organised to provide relief to struggling residents, drew over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri, and nearby settlements.

The National Director, Social Communications of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the incident, saying the distribution of the palliative had been suspended.

“Yes it’s true, but with sketchy details,” he said.

Many people besieged the church as early as 4 a.m., hoping to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede was said to have occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

“10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on.

“Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate.

“Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.

“May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.

In response to the chaos, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.

The church premises, initially filled with anxious residents, gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.

This tragedy mirrors Wednesday’s incident in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and six critically injured.

The event, held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, attracted over 5,000 children and turned fatal when attendees rushed to receive free food and gifts.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in response to the Ibadan tragedy directed security agencies to investigate the incident.