Over 35 women, including the aged, pregnant and nursing mothers were allegedly killed at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra state.
The deceased, Blueprint learnt, were stampeded while dragging bags of rice provided as Christmas and New Year palliatives by a prominent oil magnate and industrialist from the community.
According to sources, the incident which happened between 8am and 10am on Saturday, also left several other persons wounded and lying unconscious at undisclosed hospitals.
A viral video obtained by Blueprint correspondent showed some caskets lying beside lifeless bodies with footages of people walking around them and a voice narrating how the incident allegedly occurred.
“Happening now! This thing happened at Okija. We are live at Our Lady’s. Hundreds of killed in a stamped while sharing rice palliative provided by Obijackson. Many are unconscious, while those you are seeing here are already dead. You can see them…some were pregnant and nursing mothers. More of them are coming,” the voice narrated.
Speaking on this, a native of Okija, Mr Ikechukwu Oji, described the incident as unfortunate, attributing their death to “much hunger in the land and you cannot blame those who struggle to get a share of such free gifts.”
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Operatives have taken over the scene but refused to clarify whether there were deaths recorded or not.
“Preliminary information reveals that a known Philanthropist from the Okiaja community, on his yearly schedule shares some palliatives to the members of the community to provide succour to the less privileged.
“Unfortunately, before the event could start, a large number of uncontrolled persons took over the event area which resulted in a stampede. Though the details of the affected persons are still sketchy, Police Operatives have taken over the scene for proper investigation, please,” he noted.