Esther Salifu
A devastating stampede occurred at a charity event in Okija, Anambra State, on Saturday, resulting in the loss of 22 lives. The incident happened the Obijackson Centre in Amanranta, where a large crowd had gathered to receive 25kg bags of rice, vegetable oil, and cash palliatives.
Uchenna Nwaudo, who lost his wife in the stampede, shared his heartbreaking story. “I had warned my wife not to attend the event, but she didn’t listen. I was at work when I received a call that there was a stampede, and my wife was trampled upon. When I arrived, I found her lifeless body with our baby still strapped to her back.”
Nwaudo emphasized that the incident was a result of impatience and poor crowd control. “It was not the fault of the organizers, but the people’s impatience that led to this tragedy.”
Other eyewitnesses, including Nnamdi Uzor and a survivor named Ngozi, shared similar accounts of the chaos and panic that ensued during the stampede.
The President-General of Okija Progressives Union, Dr. Paul Isioma Ohaguim, described the incident as “very unfortunate” and stated that the community was still trying to ascertain the actual casualty figure.
Ohaguim noted that the tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of crowd control and patience, especially in large gatherings. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and the community affected by this devastating tragedy.
