STAMPEDES: CISLAC Calls for Immediate Government Action on Solving Hunger Crisis
Maryam Aminu
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, has expressed profound outrage and deep sorrow over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria. In the wake of a series of tragic stampedes that have claimed lives across the country,
Rafsanjani condemned the heartbreaking events as a direct consequence of poor governance, systemic failure, and an overwhelming disregard for the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“These incidents are a devastating reflection of the hopelessness many Nigerians are feeling in this harsh and unforgiving environment,” Rafsanjani said.
“The deaths of these innocent people, including children, should never have happened. It is an indictment of a government that has turned a blind eye to the suffering of its citizens. These stampedes are not just numbers; they represent human lives lost in desperate attempts to survive.”
In Abuja, a stampede at a food distribution event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama claimed the lives of at least ten people, including four children. Dozens more were injured, some critically, as the overwhelming crowd descended in a panic, fighting for a glimpse of hope in the form of food aid.
The tragic scene unfolded early on Saturday morning, where what was meant to be a lifeline for the most vulnerable turned into a horrific disaster.
Rafsanjani disclosed that a similar heartache occurred in Okija, Anambra State, where a rice distribution exercise organized by philanthropist Chief Ernest Obiejesi turned fatal. At least 12 people lost their lives, and over 30 others were injured in a crowd surge that reflected the desperation gnawing at the people.
The tragedy unfolded before the event had even begun, underscoring the crushing despair of those attending in search of sustenance.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, a children’s funfair organized by Women in Need of Governance and Support (WINGS), an initiative led by Queen Naomi Silekunola, descended into chaos and heartbreak as an overcrowded entrance caused a stampede. Several children tragically lost their lives, while others were left injured and traumatized in the wake of the panic. The image of young lives lost to such a preventable tragedy shook the nation, leaving many in grief-stricken disbelief.
“These deaths are not mere statistics. They are people mothers, fathers, children, whose lives were tragically cut short because of the government’s failure to ensure their safety,” Rafsanjani said.
“It’s gut-wrenching to think that, in their desperation, they believed this aid would give them a chance at survival, only to meet death instead.”
Rafsanjani also pointed to the broader crisis of insecurity in the country, emphasizing how escalating violence and banditry have displaced countless farmers, leading to a sharp decline in agricultural production. “This is not just a food crisis, this is a crisis of governance, a crisis of empathy, and a crisis of humanity,” he said.
“The government has turned its back on the very people it swore to protect. We are in the midst of an urgent situation that requires immediate intervention, not empty promises.”
CISLAC urgently called on both the federal and state governments to implement policies that address hunger, poverty, and inequality with the seriousness they deserve.
Rafsanjani stressed that the government must ensure the safety and dignity of its citizens during aid distribution efforts, demanding better planning, crowd control, and accountability to prevent further heart-wrenching loss of life.
“These are not isolated incidents; they are a clear message from the people,” Rafsanjani concluded, his voice unwavering. “Nigerians are suffering, and they are desperate. The government must stop ignoring the cries of its people and take decisive action to address the hunger crisis, to create jobs, and to restore hope. Every life lost in these tragedies is a reminder of how much more needs to be done.”
