Seven persons have been killed in a stampede during the buying of seized rice put on sale by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos State.
It was reported that during an attempt by armed hoodlums in camouflage gear to forcibly enter the venue, a pregnant woman and six others lost their lives in a stampede.
Describing the chaotic scene, witness Comfort James informed our correspondent, “While videos of the stampede can be found online, the reality was far worse. I arrived at 11 am to find an uncontrollable crowd. Despite efforts by Customs officials, the situation wasn’t as organized as anticipated. The police presence didn’t aid in crowd control; instead, they focused on seizing bags of rice for themselves.”
James, 27, recounted how people trampled over each other in a frantic bid to gain entry.
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Abdullahi Maiwada, spokesperson for Customs, stated, “I cannot confirm any fatalities, but several individuals fainted and were rushed to hospitals during the stampede. The event began peacefully with the CGC overseeing operations until 5 pm. Despite our best efforts, the stampede occurred.”
A medical professional, Dr. Adunola Yemoka, disclosed on social media that one victim brought to her hospital succumbed to their injuries.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos mourned the loss of one of its members, Mrs. Adebanjo Comfort Funmilayo, in the stampede.
The tragic incident unfolded amid the sale of 25kg bags of rice to Lagos residents, highlighting the dire economic conditions prevalent in the country.
The stampede erupted as a large crowd gathered to purchase the rice, priced at N10,000 per bag.
Among the casualties was Comfort Adebanjo, an APC member, and six others.
Their deaths have left the community grieving and underscored Nigeria’s economic challenges.
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The Customs Service expressed remorse over the incident, citing impatience among the crowd as a contributing factor.
Despite efforts to maintain order, the overwhelming demand for rice resulted in chaos and loss of life.
Abdullahi Maiwada stressed that every precaution was taken to ensure attendees’ safety, but the scale of the crowd exceeded their capacity to manage effectively.
The tragedy in Lagos serves as a poignant reminder of the difficulties confronting Nigerian communities.
As the nation contends with economic hardships, the imperative for comprehensive solutions and support systems to safeguard vulnerable citizens becomes increasingly evident.
