Could Economic Hardship be Reason for Deadly Charity Stampedes in Nigeria?
At least 67 lives were lost, including many children, in stampedes during Christmas charity events across Nigeria last week. The tragedies occurred in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja, highlighting the desperate plight of citizens grappling with the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
In Oyo State, 35 children tragically died on Wednesday. Over the weekend, 22 more perished in Anambra, and 10 others in Abuja, where over 1,000 people had gathered at a church for food and clothing donations.
Hunger Drives Desperation
“There is hunger in this Nigeria. Every Nigerian needs food,” lamented one tearful woman to Arise Television after the Abuja stampede. 
The economic turmoil, fueled by government policies aimed at saving money and attracting investors, has pushed inflation to a 28-year high of 34.6%. At the same time, the naira’s value has plummeted against the dollar, leaving 63% of Nigeria’s population impoverished, according to official data.
Cheta Nwanze of SBM Intelligence noted that in 2022, approximately 97% of Nigerians spent up to 63% of their income on food—a figure that has likely increased. “The average Nigerian has seen food go out of their reach,” he added.
In Abuja, some attendees camped overnight in cold weather for a chance to access donations. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people surged forward to secure spots, leading to the deadly crush.
The Role of Inadequate Security
Nigeria has a history of fatal stampedes at public events, often exacerbated by poor crowd control measures. Witnesses and police reported that the latest incidents occurred before events even began, with crowds pushing forward in anticipation.
Security expert Ademola Adetuberu emphasized that organizers often overlook the need for proper security planning. “With professional advice and a budget for safety measures, such tragedies can be prevented,” he said.
Government and Police Response
President Bola Tinubu called for stricter oversight of charity events, mandating that organizers obtain prior approval to ensure public safety. However, analysts remain skeptical about enforcement.
Nwanze pointed to a grim reality: “When people hear somewhere that food is being distributed, their natural instinct is to go. Combined with poor queue culture, it creates the perfect storm for such disasters.”
As Nigeria’s economic challenges persist, so does the urgent need for safety measures to prevent further loss of life during charitable distributions.
What steps do you think can be taken to prevent such tragedies at charity events in the future?
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