President Bola Tinubu’s administration has dismissed criticisms that widespread hunger occasioned by its harsh economic policies contributed to the recent fatal stampedes.

Rush for food at events in Anambra, Abuja and Oyo, resulting in stampedes that killed at least 65 lives in 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 organizations organizing 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. 

However, recent fatal stampedes at rice distribution venues in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja in December 2024 have sparked widespread criticism of Mr Tinubu’s administration, with many Nigerians attributing the deaths to hunger and poverty. 

This follows other fatal stampedes since Mr Tinubu assumed office in 2023. In February 2024, at least seven people died during the distribution of seized bags of rice by the Nigeria Customs Service in Lagos. 

Similarly, in March 2024, 22 students of Nasarawa State University died in a stampede at a rice distribution event on their campus, while in Bauchi, seven people were trampled to death during an almsgiving event in March 2024.