At least 13 killed in stampede at charity event in Nigeria news
At least 10 people were killed in the capital Abuja and three in the town of Okija during the distribution of donations.
Police say at least 13 people, including four children, have been killed in two incidents in Nigeria as large crowds gathered to collect food and clothing distributed at annual Christmas events.
At least 10 people were killed and several others injured in a clash that broke out on Saturday in the Maitama district of the capital Abuja to receive charity gifts being distributed by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
“The unfortunate incident, which occurred around 6:30 a.m. (05:30 GMT), resulted in a stampede that took the lives of 10 people, including four children, and left eight others with varying degrees of injuries,” Josephine Adeh said. Came.” A police spokesperson.
In a separate incident in Okija, Anambra state in southern Nigeria, three people were killed at a charity event organized by a philanthropist, state police said.
“The event had not even started when the crowd started,” police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said. He said more deaths may be recorded as officials investigate.
In both incidents, the victims were mostly women and children, who were crushed by the mob while trying to reach the provisions being offered.
A statement from President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson said the President had canceled all his official engagements in Lagos on Saturday “out of respect for the stampede victims”.
“In the season of joy and celebration, we along with fellow citizens mourn the painful loss of our loved ones. Our prayers are with him for divine comfort and healing,” Tinubu said.
On Thursday, at least 32 people were killed in a similar incident at an Islamic high school in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state in southwestern Nigeria.
Africa’s most populous country is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades as reforms introduced by Tinubu have cut subsidies for electricity and fuel, while devaluation eroded the value of its currency. Is.
On an annual basis, inflation rose to 34.6 percent in November from 33.88 percent in October, the third consecutive monthly increase.
Amnesty International Nigeria said in a statement on Saturday that for many Nigerians, “having simple rice at home is turning into a luxury.”
The United Kingdom-based human rights group urged authorities to immediately, fully, independently and transparently investigate how these charity events turned into a disaster.
