Many feared de@d as rice sharing causes stampede in Anambra

A stampede in Okija, Anambra State, has claimed the lives of some individuals who went to collect food items.

This happened when one of the prominent men in the town of Okija offered food items to residents as Christmas gifts, thereby attracting an overwhelming crowd. The deceased who were mostly women were evacuated to the morgue.

This comes days after 35 children died at a Christmas funfair stampede in Ibadan, Oyo state and ten died in a stampede during food sharing in Abuja.

Reacting to the reports, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, in a statement released said

‘’Anambra State Police Operatives have taken over the scene in Okija where an alleged stampede occurred in the early hours of today 21/12/2024, that led to some persons being fatally wounded. 

Preliminary information reveals that a known Philanthropist from the Okiaja Community, on his yearly schedule shares some palliatives to the members of the community to provide succour to the less privileged. Unfortunately, before the event could start, a large number of uncontrolled persons took over the event area which resulted in a stampede. 

Though the details of the affected persons as still sketchy, Police Operatives have taken over the scene for proper investigation, please”