At least 20 residents of Okija community in Anambra State lost their lives in a devastating stampede on Saturday during a rice distribution exercise, according to reports.
Heart-wrenching footage making rounds on social media captures the aftermath of the tragic event, with lifeless bodies sprawled across the ground as residents mourn the victims.
Confirming the incident, Charles Aburime, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State Governor, stated that the government is aware of the situation and is closely monitoring developments. He assured the public that an official statement would be released soon.
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This disaster comes on the heels of another tragic stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, where over 35 people, mostly children, lost their lives during a carnival earlier this month.
The twin tragedies have raised concerns over crowd control measures at public events, with many calling for stricter safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
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