The Okija community of Anambra State has resulted in a devastating stampede, leaving many feared dead.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning as residents gathered in large numbers to receive bags of rice distributed by a local benefactor aiming to alleviate economic hardships during the festive season.

Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd, consisting mostly of women and youths, had assembled at the distribution site as early as 5 a.m., eagerly awaiting the commencement of the event. However, as the distribution began, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, leading to a chaotic stampede.

Videos circulating online depict the harrowing aftermath, with numerous victims lying lifeless on the ground. White coffins were also seen in the footage, underscoring the gravity of the tragedy. Some of the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

Golden Ilo, a member representing Ihiala Constituency 2 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, described the incident as "an unfortunate situation that befell the community." He emphasized the benefactor's intention to support the people amidst economic challenges and urged the community to remain calm as efforts are underway to manage the crisis.

The Anambra State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that officers have been dispatched to the scene.

"The details of the report are still sketchy as investigations are ongoing," Ikenga noted. Charles Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra Governor, assured that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and will release an official statement soon.

This tragic event in Anambra follows a similar incident in Abuja, where a stampede during a church's palliative distribution claimed ten lives.

The National Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Church Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Umoh, confirmed the suspension of the distribution due to the incident.

The recent spate of stampedes, including a funfair tragedy in Ibadan that resulted in over 35 deaths, highlights the urgent need for improved crowd management and safety measures during public distributions and gatherings.