With four days to Christmas in 2024, up to 40 lives have been reportedly lost in different stampede in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital and Okija, Anambra state.
In Abuja city centre, the incident occured at a catholic church in Maitama with about 15 persons feared dead and others injured on Saturday.
In Anambra, it was an early morning stampede of at Chief Earnest Azudialo Obiejesi, popularly known as Obi Jackson left up to 25 persons dead and those injured during distribution of Christmas palliative especially rice and other consumables.
Victims of the stampede were mainly aged and young women especially windows who had converged in Obi Jackson’s house for the palliative as customary every Yuletide season.
Eyewitness accounts disclosed that the stampede ensued following large number of persons who had come for the palliative which surpassed previous years exercises.
Authorities are yet to react to the fatalities.
Few days ago, 35 people, mostly children died in a Christmas funfair party, where gifts were also shared in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
Therafter, the police authorities said those who organised the event including former Ooni of Ife’s wife were arrested.
