No fewer than 19 persons have tragically lost their lives in a stampede which occurred during the distribution of Christmas palliatives, especially rice and other consumables in the Okija community in the Ihiala local government area of Anambra State.

The early morning stampede on Saturday, December 21, 2024, reportedly occurred at the residence of Chief Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, popularly known as Obi Jackson.

Though intended to ameliorate the masses suffering amid economic hardship, the event turned tragic after the crowd present was said to have surpassed previous years' exercises, an eyewitness said.

It was gathered that the victims of the stampede were mostly aged and young women especially windows who had gathered for the customary Yuletide palliative.

Meanwhile, the stampede victims have been deposited at Our Ladies Mortuary in Okija, while those injured have been rushed to undisclosed hospitals for urgent medical attention.

The victims include a mother and daughter who are relatives of Chief Ken Emeakayi, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security among others.

Confirming the incident, the chief press secretary to the Anambra governor, Charles Aburime, said the state government is monitoring the situation and would soon release a statement.

"The multiple deaths of Okija citizens resulted from a crowd stampede at ongoing palliatives powered by Okija's top son, Chief Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi who made an impact in Okija on several fronts.

“His annual Christmas palliative distribution of free food items attracted mammoth crowds per year. This year is a never-before-seen crowd that got out of control despite the careful distribution of cards to intended recipients. As of now, over 19 deaths have been recorded and several more injured due to exhaustion, an eyewitness, Obinna Okoye said.