BREAKING: Tears As Victims Of Anambra Stampede Are Laid To Rest

No fewer than 21 people, mostly women and children, who lost their lives in a stampede that occurred during a Christmas rice distribution in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been laid to rest.

Naija News recalls that the tragic incident occurred on December 21, 2024, during the palliative distribution being donated by a notable member of the community, Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi, through his foundation, Obijackson Foundation.

The inter-denominational burial service held at St. Mary’s Field, Okija, on Friday was organised by Obijackson Foundation, alongside the royal palace of the Okija community, and it had in attendance families of the victims, survivors, community members, and other notable personalities of the community.

During the service, Rev. Donald Chukwudolue, who anchored his lesson from the book of Revelation 21:1-8, asked the Almighty God to console everybody who lost their loved ones and prayed that such would not occur again in the community.

He said, “We ask God to wipe away every tear and console the families of the deceased. We pray such an accident will not occur in Okija again. Okija mourns, Anambra mourns, and Nigeria mourns.

“Nobody would hear such tragic news and not feel sober. Only the Lord can console those who lost their loved ones and we pray the Lord will continue to comfort the families of the victims.”

While mourning the victims, Ernest said the foundation remains steadfast in its resolve to human development, and the stampede has strengthened their resolve to ensure such tragedy incident will not occur again.

He said, “Today, we gather here with heavy hearts to honour the memory of those we lost in the tragedy that happened on December 21 in the community. I, as the founder of the Obijackson Foundation sincerely expressed my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Okija community for the incident.

“The foundation remains steadfast in its resolve to human development, this incident has strengthened our resolve to ensure there such tragedy will not occur again. Let this tragedy bring us closer and make us stronger as a community and have a resolve to forge ahead.

“This kind of tragedy can deter you from engaging in service, but we as a foundation, are going to continue to ensure that we do everything that God has empowered us to do to ensure that Okija never suffers this kind of calamity again.

“We are humbled and reminded of the importance of doing good. We are taking decisive actions and our resolve to serve the Okija people will remain steadfast. Together, we will rebuild, together, we will make Okija a safer place where you will always eat and remember your brothers and sisters.

“The Obijackson Foundation will continue to do good. As the founder of the foundation, we have done this for 15 years and I assure you, we will continue to bring succour and love to Okija. May all those families that lost their loved ones continue to relate and we will support them with all the things they deserve.”