Several people died and others were injured in Nigeria during crowd movements in Abuja, the capital located in the center of the country, and in the town of Okija (south), said the presidential villa and emergency services. this Saturday, December 21, 2024. According to the police, at least “10 people died” in Abuja, and “several others” in Okija according to emergency services.
Four children died
“President Bola Tinubu has canceled all his official events in Lagos today, including his participation in the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, in honor of the victims of the mobs in Abuja and Okija, State of Anambra »Bayo Onanuga, special advisor to the president, said in a statement. “These two tragedies caused numerous victims and several injured”he added.
In Abuja, the crowd movement cost the death of “10 people, including four children”et “eight people were injured”said Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Abuja police.
The crowd gathered during a food distribution
The stampede occurred near the Maitama Catholic church, during a distribution of food intended for “vulnerable and elderly people”said the police.
During another distribution of food, particularly rice, which this time took place in the town of Okija, “several people died”said Ngozi Echeazu, one of the officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the south of the country.
No official report has yet been communicated by the authorities regarding the crowd movement in Okija.
“Necessary” security measures
“This is becoming too widespread and it shows that precautionary measures are not being taken”indicated to theAFP Manzo Ezekiel, one of the spokespersons of NEMA. “Any time you distribute basic necessities to people, and there are no measures taken to control the crowd, it often results in situations like this”he continued.
On Wednesday, Nigeria was marked by another stampede which took place during a funfair organized within the premises of a high school in the city of Ibadan (southwest), Nigeria's third largest city. In total, at least 35 children died and six others were seriously injured during this festive event where young and old were invited.
President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday urged “the Oyo State government to take all necessary measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again”according to a press release from the presidency.
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