December 21, 2024
No fewer than 17 persons have died and several others sustained various degrees of injuries at Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, following a stampede during the distribution of Christmas rice by officials of Obijackson Foundation in Anambra on Saturday.
The.Obijackson Foundation in Anambra, has been distributing such gifts annually for many years and people in the entire Ihiala local government and other neighbouring communities had always looked forward to it.
According to eyewitnesses report, the victims, mostly women and youths, had stationed themselves at the facility as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday, waiting for the distribution to begin at dawn.
Unfortunately, the crowd became uncontrollable when the distribution began, leading to the stampede that caused the
The dead bodies, and those who sustained injuries, were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.
The dead bodies of victims which included pregnant women, littered the vicinity of the hospital’s mortuary.
A viral video which showed the dead bodies also had the chaotic scenes of people rushing to escape, with some trying to revive those who fell unconscious.
READ MORE; 30 Children Feared Dead In Ibadan Funfair Stampede
This is happening barely a week when about 35 children died at a children funfair, that the organizers had promised to give N5000 to 5000 children in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The Anambra state police command is yet to confirm the incident.
