LIVE UPDATES
NIGERIA- The administration of President Bola Tinubu has rejected claims that the widespread hunger caused by its stringent economic policies led to the recent deadly stampedes.
The rush for food at events in Anambra, Abuja, and Oyo has resulted in stampedes that claimed at least 65 lives over the past week.
In a statement by information minister Idris Mohammed on Sunday, the federal government said, “It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration. As such, making any attempt to link these tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous.”
The government insisted that its economic reforms, which aim to reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth, are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians.
It also urged individuals and organisations organising similar events to follow the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and cooperate with law enforcement for proper crowd control and security.
Fatal stampedes have occurred in Nigeria in the past at large events such as recruitment exercises, political campaigns, and palliative distributions.
Under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014, about 20 deaths were recorded nationwide during the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise.
In 2019, 15 people died in a stampede at a campaign rally for former president Muhammadu Buhari’s second term in Port Harcourt.
Also, in March 2022, 31 people died in a stampede at a ‘Shop for Free’ programme organized by The King’s Assembly in Port Harcourt.
Recent deadly stampedes at rice distribution sites in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja in December 2024 have led to significant backlash against Tinubu’s administration, with many Nigerians linking the fatalities to hunger and poverty.
This comes after other tragic incidents since Tinubu took office in 2023. In February 2024, at least seven individuals lost their lives during the distribution of confiscated rice bags by the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos.
Likewise, in March 2024, 22 students from Nasarawa State University perished in a stampede at a rice distribution event on their campus, and in Bauchi, seven people were killed during an almsgiving event in the same month.
