OKIJA, Nigeria — A stampede during a rice distribution event at the country home of billionaire businessman Obiejesi Azudialu in Okija, Anambra State, left dozens dead and many others injured on Saturday, December 21, 2024, according to local reports and eyewitness accounts.
The annual event, sponsored by the Obijackson Foundation, is a well-known charitable activity that aims to provide food supplies to the less privileged during the festive season.
However, this year’s gathering turned tragic as crowds surged uncontrollably, resulting in chaos.
Videos shared on social media showed lifeless bodies, mostly of women, strewn across the ground as people attempted to assist the injured.
A man narrating one video described the grim scene: “These are dead bodies of people that went to share Obi Jackson rice. All these people lying here are dead, including a pregnant woman. They were mashed to death. Many were also injured.”
Casualty Numbers Yet to Be Confirmed
While the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed, some sources suggested that at least 40 people, mostly women, lost their lives in the incident.
Others reported varying figures as emergency responders and volunteers worked to assist survivors and retrieve the dead.
Attempts to reach the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, for confirmation were unsuccessful.
Longstanding Tradition Marred by Tragedy
Chief Obiejesi Azudialu, the founder of the Obijackson Foundation and Chairman of Nestoil, is a native of Okija and has regularly hosted the event, drawing large crowds seeking food assistance.
Residents said the event has become increasingly popular due to the economic challenges facing many Nigerians, which are exacerbating the crowding issues.
“This tragedy is heartbreaking,” said a local resident, who asked not to be named. “People came here for food, and now we are dealing with loss and sorrow.”
Concerns Over Crowd Control
This tragedy has reignited concerns about safety and crowd control measures at large gatherings in Nigeria.
It follows a similar incident earlier this week in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a carnival resulted in over 35 deaths, mostly children.
Experts and civic leaders have called for better planning and regulation of events that attract large crowds to prevent further tragedies.
Local authorities have not yet issued a formal statement about the incident or announced any investigations into the causes of the stampede.
As families mourn their loved ones and survivors recover from injuries, questions remain about how such events can be conducted more safely in the future.
The Obijackson Foundation has not yet commented on the incident.
The tragedy underscores the challenges of balancing charitable efforts with the safety of beneficiaries, particularly in economically strained regions where such events attract overwhelming crowds.
