Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has attributed deaths resulting from stampedes in some parts of the country to economic destruction done by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Not less than 100 Nigerians have perished in less than a week in Ibadan (Oyo), Okija (Anambra), and Abuja (FCT) just in search of rice; this speaks precisely to the debilitating economic destruction wrought on Nigerians by the @officialABAT regime since his unfortunate ascension to power in May 2023,” Mr Sowore wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

On Wednesday, no fewer than 35 children were confirmed dead and many others severely injured in Oyo children’s funfair organised by Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife’s foundation. The incident was strongly condemned by Governor Seyi Makinde, who promised to deal with everyone involved in the incident.

Dozens of Anambra residents were also feared killed after a rice-sharing event led to a stampede in Okija, Anambra. The tragedy on Saturday morning came after Obi Jackson Foundation, run by oil magnate Ernest Obiejesi, announced plans to share rice to the less privileged in the spirit of 2024 Christmas.

A similar occurrence was also reported in Abuja on Saturday, as no fewer than 10 people, including four children, were killed in a stampede in Nigeria’s capital city as a large crowd gathered to collect food items distributed by a local church at a Christmas event.

Reacting, Mr Sowore said this series of unfortunate developments was a manifestation of Tinubu’s reckless policies since coming to power in 2023.

The activist lamented the monumental dangers posed by Mr Tinubu’s economic decisions for the country and Nigerians.

“If anyone didn’t know how bad things are and how our people are really desperate for survival, this unprecedented but unwarranted death by hunger – suicide tells the real story. Nigeria is in trouble and Nigerians are endangered!” Mr Sowore concluded.