Tragedy struck in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday as at least 17 people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries during a stampede at a Christmas rice distribution event organized by the Obijackson Foundation.
The incident occurred at one of the Foundation’s facilities in Amarata, Ohalegbu village, Okija, where a large crowd had gathered for the annual Christmas charity program, a tradition the Foundation has sustained for many years. Residents of Ihiala and neighboring communities eagerly anticipate this event each year.
Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd, comprising mostly women and youths, began assembling at the venue as early as 5 a.m., awaiting the distribution scheduled to start at daybreak.
However, chaos erupted when the distribution began, as the crowd surged forward in a bid to collect their share of the rice, leading to the deadly stampede.
Victims, including pregnant women, were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala. Disturbing scenes captured in a viral video showed bodies lying lifeless around the hospital’s mortuary, while others fought to revive unconscious individuals amidst the chaos.
An eyewitness recounted, “The crowd was uncontrollable. People were pushing and shoving to get their share of the rice. It was so heartbreaking to see people lose their lives in such a manner.”
Relatives of the victims gathered at the hospital, many sobbing uncontrollably as they identified their loved ones.
The Anambra State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but the stampede has sparked widespread grief and raised concerns about crowd management at large-scale charitable events.
