By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, has strongly criticized the dire situation of hunger and desperation plaguing Nigeria. This comes after a series of tragic stampedes at food distribution events, which highlight the devastating consequences of poor governance and inadequate responses to rising poverty levels in the country. Nigeria’s hunger crisis has been worsening, with over 31.8 million Nigerians facing acute food shortages and 15.6 million children suffering from hunger.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, expressed deep sorrow over the recent tragic stampedes during food distribution events, which resulted in the loss of dozens of lives. He described these incidents as devastating manifestations of the extreme hardship and suffering currently faced by Nigerians.
“This is a clear indication that Nigerians are facing very difficult times under this administration” he said.
“Unfortunately, the government appears detached from the realities on the ground and has failed to take the necessary steps to address a situation they helped to escalate. While these tragic incidents have been reported, many more may be occurring unnoticed as people are desperately hungry”.
Tragedy struck in Abuja on Saturday morning when a stampede erupted at a food distribution event held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, resulting in the loss of ten lives, including four children. The chaotic scene unfolded as a massive crowd of over a thousand people, seeking relief, surged forward and overwhelmed the venue, leaving several others injured.
In another devastating incident, a stampede occurred in Okija, Anambra State, during a rice distribution event sponsored by philanthropist Chief Ernest Obiejesi. Tragically, at least 12 lives were lost, and over 30 people were injured. Eyewitnesses reported that the event turned chaotic even before it began, as an overwhelming and uncontrolled crowd surged forward, highlighting the dire desperation among citizens.
Same was recorded in Ibadan, Oyo State, when a children’s funfair organized by Women in Need of Governance and Support (WINGS), an initiative founded by Queen Naomi Silekunola, ended in disaster. An overcrowded entrance led to a devastating stampede, resulting in the loss of several young lives and leaving many more children injured as they desperately tried to enter the event.
According to Rafsanjani, “These incidents are avoidable but highlight the depth of hunger and deprivation in our society,” Rafsanjani said, adding that “The government must urgently adopt measures to address food insecurity, create jobs, and alleviate the suffering of the people.”
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani also pointed out that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has significantly worsened the hunger crisis, as relentless banditry and violence have forced many farmers to abandon their fields, resulting in drastically reduced agricultural production.
“The Tinubu administration must prioritize securing the nation and revitalizing the agricultural sector. State and local governments must also play an active role in encouraging agricultural activities to curb rural-urban migration and reduce unemployment,” he urged.
Furthermore, the CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, called on both federal and state governments to implement policies that address poverty and inequality, and to guarantee the safety, dignity, and well-being of citizens during the distribution of public aid and relief programs.
The Executive Director emphasized the need for enhanced planning and coordination during relief events to prevent future tragedies. He stressed that these devastating incidents highlight the escalating desperation among Nigerians, underscoring the urgent need for effective, compassionate governance to tackle the nation’s challenges. Effective coordination and planning are crucial in emergency response situations, allowing for better management of resources and minimizing the risk of accidents. By prioritizing improved planning and coordination, Nigeria can work towards preventing such tragic incidents and ensuring the safety and dignity of its citizens.
