Victor EzejaA few days after the stampede that killed about 35 children in Ibadan, Oyo State during a Christmas party, another one has occurred in Okija, Anambra State on Saturday morning with not less than 19 persons dead.
They were said to have gathered to receive rice and other food items distributed by officials of Obijackson Foundation on Saturday in Okija, a town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Foundation has been distributing such gifts annually for many years and people in the area always participated. However, this year’s distribution turned sour as an uncontrolled crowd led to a stampede that killed people.
A video shared on social media showed dead bodies of victims of the stampede, most women, some of whom were pregnant, littered the vicinity of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital mortuary Ihiala.
A male voice in the video said that apart from the people already dead, more people injured in the stampede are still unconscious.
An Okija indigene and former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Sir Chris Ukachukwu, while confirming the incident to Prime Business Africa, described the incident as”unfortunate”. Yes, it happened. It is unfortunate, Ukachukwu said.
He however said he was uncertain about the actual number of casualties as the numbers would keep growing given the fact that many others were seriously wounded.
In the same vein, Secretary-General of the Forum of South-east Academic Doctors (FOSAD), Dr Uzo Ngoladi, an indigene of Anambra State, said: “The death toll will increase before the day runs out. Still counting. May the souls of the departed, because of rice, rest in peace.”
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said unidentified number of persons lost their lives during the stampede. Ikenga added that operatives from the command have taken over the area and while investigation has commenced to ascertain the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.
This came as the nation is still reeling from the shock of the horrific death of 35 children during a funfair in Ibadan.
This came as the nation is still reeling from the shock of the horrific death of 35 children during a funfair in Ibadan.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
