At least 27 people are feared dead following a stampede during a Christmas rice distribution event in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The tragic incident occurred during a charity program organized by Chief Ernest Obiejesi, popularly known as Obijackson, a philanthropist and Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The annual event, designed to support the less privileged, spiraled into chaos as an overwhelming crowd scrambled for rice.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as devastating, lamenting how impatience turned a benevolent act into a disaster. One witness, speaking to The Nation, expressed disbelief at the crowd’s behavior:
“Hunger has made some people act irrationally. Why were they fighting and rushing for rice that would have been enough for everyone, no matter how many people came?” the witness said, noting that the Obijackson Foundation has consistently provided surplus rice each year, benefiting even those from neighboring states. “The stampede was caused by impatience.”
Several people were injured in the incident and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the morgue.
Among the victims were relatives of an aide to Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who reportedly lost two family members. The aide, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ihiala, was said to be deeply affected by the tragedy.
Efforts to contact the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, were unsuccessful. However, a senior police officer confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it’s true. The Commissioner of Police, Obono Itam, has already dispatched officers to the site. The stampede likely resulted from the crowd’s rush, but the command will launch an investigation immediately. It was a pure accident, and we deeply sympathize with the affected families,” the officer said.