What was intended to be part of individual efforts to ameliorate the hard economic realities of Nigerians in this year’s Christmas has turned into tragedy following death of over 19 persons in Okija, Ihiala local government area of Anambra State.
The early morning stampede of Saturday, 21st December, 2024 at Chief Earnest Azudialo Obiejesi, popularly known as Obi Jackson left no fewer than 19 persons dead during distribution of Christmas palliative especially rice and other consumables.
Reports reveals that victims of the stampede were mainly aged and young women especially windows who had converged in Obi Jackson’s house for the palliative as customary every Yuletide season.
An eyewitness said a stampede ensued following a large number of persons who had come for the palliative which surpassed previous year’s exercises. Obinna Okoye confirmed that “the multiple deaths of Okija citizens resulted from crowd stampede at ongoing palliatives powered by Okija’s top son, Chief Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi who made an impact in Okija on several fronts.
“His annual Christmas palliative distribution of free food items attracted mammoth crowds per year. This year is a never-before-seen crowd that got out of control despite the care distribution of cards to intended recipients. As of now, over 19 deaths have been recorded and several more injured due to exhaustion.”
The victims of the stampede have been deposited at Our Ladies Mortuary, Okija including a mother and daughter who are relatives of Chief Ken Emeakayi, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security among others while injured ones have been rushed to undisclosed hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Reacting to the incident the Anambra Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochikwu Ikenga said in a release; “Anambra State Police Operatives have taken over the scene in Okija where an alleged stampede occurred in the early hours of today 21/12/2024, that led to some persons being fatally wounded”
“Preliminary information reveals that a known Philanthropist from the Okiaja Community, on his yearly schedule shares some palliatives to the members of the community to provide succour to the less privileged. Unfortunately, before the event could start, a large number of uncontrolled persons took over the event area which resulted in a stampede”
“Though the details of the affected persons as still sketchy, Police Operatives have taken over the scene for proper investigation, please”
