ABUJA, Nigeria — Recent stampedes during Christmas charity events in Nigeria have tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 67 individuals, with a significant portion being children. This calamity is unfolding amid Nigeria’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in decades, leaving families in dire straits.
On Wednesday, a devastating incident in the southwestern Oyo state claimed the lives of 35 children. Just a few days later, on Saturday, 22 people lost their lives in southeastern Anambra state, while 10 were reported dead in Abuja. The events drew crowds exceeding 1,000 at a church where people gathered for food and clothing donations.
The urgency for aid in Nigeria’s densely populated regions is palpable, as many individuals feel compelled to risk their safety for much-needed holiday provisions.
The country is grappling with a staggering inflation rate that has reached a 28-year peak, currently at 34.6%. This situation has been largely attributed to government policies aimed at cost-saving and attracting investments, which have consequently diminished the value of the naira against the dollar.
According to data from Nigeria’s statistics office, over 63% of the nation’s population of more than 210 million people live in poverty. Job creation has been sluggish, and when citizens engage in protests against their welfare, they often face violent crackdowns from security agencies. In August, more than 20 victims were reported killed during nationwide demonstrations aimed at highlighting the growing hardships.
“The cost of food has become unattainable for many,” remarked Cheta Nwanze, a managing partner at the Lagos-based research firm, SBM Intelligence. He referenced a 2022 study indicating that nearly 97% of Nigerians allocated about 63% of their income towards food, a proportion likely increased since that time.
Witnesses from the Abuja incident recounted harrowing accounts, including individuals who had camped out overnight in the cold to secure entry to the event. Loveth Inyang, a bystander, mentioned rescuing a baby from the chaos.
Such fatal crowd crushes are not an uncommon occurrence in Nigeria, often exacerbated by inadequate safety measures. Experts are noting that the public’s urgent need for survival is complicating crowd management efforts. Reports from both Abuja and Anambra indicate that stampedes frequently begin as individuals jostle for better positioning before the events commence.
In Abuja, the church had no choice but to cancel the charity event, leaving sacks of rice and clothing behind, unclaimed. Organizers of these charitable gatherings often neglect to prioritize safety, according to Ademola Adetuberu, head of the Abuja-based Barricade Executive Protection firm.
With the demand for food continuing to rise, the number of charity events has surged, as benefactors and organizations strive to address this pressing need. Adetuberu emphasized the importance of proper planning, recommending that event organizers consult security professionals and allocate resources for safety measures to prevent such tragic events.
In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has urged that operational lapses by event organizers no longer be tolerated, mandating police oversight of future gatherings to ensure prior permissions are sought. However, experts assert that such commitments are often difficult to enforce and have been previously established without tangible results.
“The financial strain on families has been ongoing all year. When word spreads about food distribution, people instinctively flock to the location,” Nwanze explained. He added that Nigeria’s poor queue management culture further exacerbates the situation, creating a hazardous environment ripe for disaster.
