A tragic incident occurred in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday morning, resulting in the loss of at least 20 lives.
The tragedy unfolded during a distribution event for bags of rice intended for indigent women in the community ahead of the festive season.
According to eyewitnesses, the crowd, numbering in the hundreds, gathered at the venue to receive the donations from a wealthy benefactor who aimed to assist the local population amid the country’s economic difficulties. However, the overwhelming surge of people led to a stampede, tragically claiming the lives of the 20 women.
The Member representing Ihiala Constituency 2 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Golden Ilo, expressed sorrow over the incident, describing it as deeply unfortunate situation. He explained that the benefactor’s intention was to alleviate some of the financial strain faced by the community, particularly as the holidays approach.
Mr. Ilo, urged the community to remain calm and assured them that efforts were underway to manage the situation, and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a phone conversation with Radio Nigeria correspondent Uche Ndeke.
He stated that the police were aware of the situation and had dispatched officers to the scene. However, Ikenga noted that the full details of the incident were still unclear as investigations were ongoing.
The tragedy has left the entire Okija community in shock, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly stampede.
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