A tragic stampede during a rice distribution event in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, has reportedly claimed the lives of an unknown number of residents.
A video circulating online captures the aftermath of the incident, with witnesses alleging that over 100 individuals, including men, women, and pregnant women, perished while scrambling to collect their share of “Obijason rice.”
In the video, a witness speaking in Igbo documented the scene at Our Lady’s Hospital in Okija, where the victims’ bodies were being transported.
Speaking in the viral video, the male voice said: “This thing happened in Okija now. People who went to share Obijason rice, see people who died. We are in Our Lady’s now. They went to share Obijason rice and they were stampeded to death. See all of them, including women. These are people stampeded to death. See people’s dead bodies. They are all dead. They went to share Obijason rice.
“There are a lot of dead bodies. They are still bringing in dead bodies. This happened this morning. Even pregnant women. It is happening now, 21 December. Abomination has happened.
“More dead bodies are still coming. This is Okija. We are in Our Lady’s. These are not those who are unconscious. They are still bringing more. They said what is here is more than 100 dead bodies. Tragedy happened.”
Two residents of Awka, the state capital, confirmed the incident to Sahara Reporters. One, a native of Okija, revealed that family members had corroborated the event, though the precise number of casualties remains uncertain.
The resident said: “An occurrence of said dimensions took place and is still unraveling. I’m from Okija and preliminary calls to home from me here in Awka have confirmed a tragedy of the reported magnitude.”
