Death toll rises to 38 as Nigerians rush for Christmas rice in Anambra, Abuja

Hospital managers were calling on residents to donate blood amid fears that the available facilities might be inadequate to contain the crisis.

Chukwu Eze and Ebube Ibeh • December 21, 2024

Photos from scene of stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Abuja

At least 38 people have been confirmed dead across Nigeria on Saturday after rice-sharing activities led to stampedes in Anambra and Abuja.

Officials in Anambra said a rice and condiment distribution exercise put together by oil magnate Ernest Obiejesi left at least 28 killed and scores of others hospitalised.

“We’ve lost 28 people today, and, unfortunately, we might still lose more people because of how critically injured we found them,” a medical response team leader told Peoples Gazette on Saturday afternoon. “It is a desperate situation here that we think might be too much for us to manage in our facility.”

In Abuja, the police said 10 people were killed in a rush that followed the annual grocery-sharing event held by the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.

Several others were injured in the Abuja incident, with many still hospitalised while a few have been discharged after sustaining minor injuries, police said.

In Anambra, witnesses said many injured participants were rushed to Our Lady’s Hospital in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area. A spokesperson for the hospital did not immediately return a request seeking comments. Hospital managers were calling on residents to donate blood.

The police in Anambra said the matter was under investigation, with the command spokesperson declining to elaborate on Saturday morning.

A resident who spoke with The Gazette about the incident said thousands of 10-kilogramme bags of rice were shared, and many people received only cups of rice because of the large number of people looking to benefit from the Christmas charity, which Mr Obiejesi organises annually. His foundation operates children’s hospitals and educational facilities in Okija, about 100 kilometres south of Awka, the state capital.

Authorities have warned Nigerians to be patient when joining queues for Christmas goodwill around the country.

Earlier this week, a similar event occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where at least 35 children died, with six others critically injured at a children’s funfair.

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