CUPP Reveals Struggles: Nigeria’s Stampede Over Rice Supplies
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has expressed deep concern over recent tragic incidents in Nigeria, where citizens lost their lives in stampedes while scrambling for rice during charity distributions.
These events have occurred in various regions, including Anambra State, Abuja, and Ibadan, resulting in significant loss of life.
In Anambra State, a stampede during a rice distribution event in Okija led to the deaths of at least 22 individuals.
Similarly, in Abuja, a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church resulted in multiple fatalities, including children.
These incidents highlight the severe economic challenges facing many Nigerians, compelling them to risk their lives for basic necessities.
CUPP’s National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, criticized the government’s failure to harness Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential to ensure food security for its citizens.
He emphasized that Nigeria, with 39.6 million hectares of arable land, has the capacity to be a breadbasket for the region. The current situation, where citizens are dying in the struggle for food, reflects systemic issues of incompetence and corruption within governance structures.
In response to these tragedies, state governments are implementing stricter measures for palliative distributions to prevent future occurrences.
These measures include improved crowd control, multiple distribution points to avoid overcrowding, and prioritizing vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and children.