By Eno Udo
No fewer than 80 persons have been crushed to death in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija, Anambra, in a space of three days when crowds surged desperately to receive free food items and gifts.
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, more than 35 children died in a rush that ensued during gifts distribution at a party to mark the end of year season.
Reports say that the party was planned to host 5000 children, but about 7000 turned out.
In the buildup to the event, which had been held in past years, the organisers had promised to give N5000 and free food items to each child attendee.
It was not readily clear at what point the stampede began. But it is reported that the overflowing crowd of children and their guardians surged forward when the organisers arrived the venue to commence the event.
The police have arrested eight persons in connection with the ugly incident. The key figure among those arrested is the former wife of the Oni of Ife, Prophetess Olori Naomi Silekunola, whose Women In Need of Guidance and Support Foundation was the main organiser of the event.
Also arrested is the principal of the Islamic High School the event venue.
In a similar stampede tragedy in Okija, Anambra State, at least 22 persons, mostly women, died during a charity rice distribution. The event was the annual charity for people of the community always organised by a philanthropist, Obi Jackson, the chief executive officer of Nestoil.
In the rush that ensued as the rice was being handed out, several persons were crushed to death.
Also in Abuja at the weekend, at least 10 persons died in a stampede after a huge crowd gathered to collect free rice at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama District.
The event, which was organised to mark the Yuletide season, turned into a tragedy when a large crowd gathered at the gate and tried to force entry.
The three incidents highlight the desperation of most Nigerians to survive the growing hunger in the country, with the prices of almost every foodstuff soaring beyond their reach. Many citizens now see food charity event as a means of helping themselves.
The tragedy is also a stark reality that Nigerians have not imbibed the queuing and orderliness culture. It could be recalled that in 1984, the then Buhari-led military government introduced War Against Indiscipline (WAI) with queuing as one of the first phases of the programme.
Unfortunately, the programme did not catch on and was jettisoned after the regime was overthrown by the Babangida junta.
