The Nigerian police have confirmed a fatal stampede in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, where several residents lost their lives during a rice-sharing event on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Eyewitness accounts and a viral video obtained by SaharaReporters reveal that the victims, reportedly numbering over 100, included men, women, and pregnant women. The tragic incident occurred as community members struggled to receive rice distributed by a local philanthropist, commonly referred to as “Obijason rice.”
In a video recorded at Our Lady’s Hospital in Okija, a male witness, speaking in Igbo, showed rows of dead bodies. He lamented, “This happened in Okija now. People went to collect Obijason rice, and see what happened—these people were stampeded to death.
Look at them, including women and pregnant women. It’s an abomination.” He added that more bodies were still being brought in, estimating the death toll to exceed 100.
Two residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters. One, a native of Okija, stated, “I have spoken with people back home, and they confirmed the tragedy, but the exact number of victims remains unclear.”
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the stampede in a statement, explaining, “In the early hours of today, December 21, 2024, an alleged stampede occurred in Okija, leading to fatalities.
Preliminary findings indicate that a local philanthropist was distributing palliatives to the community when a large, uncontrolled crowd overwhelmed the venue, resulting in the incident.”
SP Ikenga further noted that police operatives have secured the scene and launched an investigation, adding, “Details of the affected persons remain sketchy, but we will provide updates as investigations continue.”
This devastating incident underscores the urgent need for crowd control measures during public events to prevent similar tragedies.
