Nigeria: Death Toll Rises to 22 in Okija Crowd Crush, Marking Third Such Incident This Week

Police have reported that the number of fatalities from a crowd crush in Okija, a town in Nigeria’s south-east, has climbed to 22. This incident represents the third occurrence this week where individuals have been crushed to death at events distributing complimentary food. The deaths in Okija transpired on Saturday at a charity event, as residents hurried to collect Christmas donations, which included rice and vegetable oil. On the same day, a similar tragic event at a Catholic church in the capital city Abuja claimed 10 lives, while 35 children died during a carnival event on Wednesday in the city of Ibadan. In response, police have issued a caution to organizers, advising them to inform authorities before conducting charity events to prevent further loss of life. Toyin Abdul Kadri, an eyewitness to the crush at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja, informed AFP news agency that attendees “forced the gates and forced their selves inside”. Police stated that the event involved “vulnerable and elderly individuals,” and four children were among those who died. Amnesty International Nigeria commented on the crushes in a social media post, writing: “President Bola Tinubu’s government must urgently prioritise addressing widespread hunger, higher unemployment and the rapidly falling standard of living.” Over the past 18 months, food and transportation costs in Nigeria have more than tripled. The global surge in inflation has been intensified by certain government policies, such as the termination of a fuel subsidy, which were designed to bolster the economy in the long-term. President Bola Tinubu released a statement concerning the deadly crushes, saying: “In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them.” He urged state governments and the police to implement stringent crowd control measures and has canceled all his official engagements as a tribute to the victims. He also pointed out the similarities among the incidents, including one earlier this week in Ibadan, a city in the south-west. A crush at a school funfair there resulted in the deaths of 35 children and serious injuries to six others. Thousands of people had gathered, drawn by the promise of free food. Residents in Bashorun, a suburb of Ibadan, told the BBC that the crowd quickly surpassed 5,000, with many attempting to force their way through the school gate. Parents reportedly tried to scale the fence surrounding the compound to gain access. Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the three “tragic” incidents highlight the “urgent need for a more structured and effective approach to delivering aid to vulnerable communities and members of the public in general”.