“Stampedes Not Unique to Nigeria, Happen in Developed Countries Like the US” – Minister

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nentawe Yilwatda, has attributed recent food queue stampedes in Nigeria to poor organisation, emphasizing that such incidents are not unique to the country. Yilwatda highlighted examples of similar occurrences in developed nations, pointing out that food distribution challenges have led to stampedes even in the United States.

Speaking during a year-end review on Channels Television, the minister cited instances such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and a school food distribution event in Texas, where poor organisation resulted in chaos. “Stampedes have taken place in more developed countries than Nigeria,” she said.

In December 2024, Nigeria witnessed three tragic stampedes during food distribution events in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja, resulting in the loss of about 70 lives. The incidents, which many attributed to rising hunger and soaring food prices, have sparked widespread concern. Police have since detained the private organisers of the distributions for investigation.

Yilwatda underscored the Federal Government’s efforts as the largest distributor of relief materials in Nigeria, boasting a track record of well-organised programs that have avoided such tragedies. She encouraged private donors to collaborate with the ministry to ensure proper planning and execution of food distribution activities, reducing the risk of similar incidents in the future.