Nigeria Customs and Showing Empathy for Stampede Victims

Nigeria Customs and Showing Empathy for Stampede Victims

By Abdulsalam Mahmud

In Lagos State this year, something tragic happened. It was a stampede that claimed some lives. The event that led to the ugly incident was the distribution of rice bags by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to Lagos residents at a discounted price.

This came at a time the prevailing economic hardship had started taking its toll on Nigerians, manifesting in hunger across the land. Then, pockets of street protests over frustrating hunger and biting economy conditions were staged in Minna and Suleja towns in Niger State. Ditto in Kano State.

In the wake of the tragedy that terminated some citizens’ dreams, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, ordered the temporary suspension of the activity. He also commiserated with victims of the tragedy.

In a statement released by Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for the Customs Service, Adeniyi, (then) said: “The Nigeria Customs Service extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this challenging time, and we assure them of our unwavering support. We are working with Hospital Authorities to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on their next steps. Following this incident, an internal investigation was initiated to understand the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.

“As a service deeply committed to the welfare and safety of Nigerians, we recognize the need for heightened sensitivity and preventive measures in all our operations. Considering the recent unfortunate event, we regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, 23 February 2024. This should help us to properly articulate more robust and comprehensive action that will not defeat the noble intention. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all Nigerians as we work towards addressing the challenges facing our nation’s food security”.

According to the Customs helmsman, their NCS, in February, announced the commencement of a noble intervention aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians and improving access to essential food items, through direct disposal of seized edible goods condemned in competent courts of law and certified fit for consumption by relevant government agencies.

This followed a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said. Adeniyi added: “Consequently, a pilot exercise was conducted on Friday, 23 February 2024, at NCS Old Zonal Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos state.

“The exercise was conducted following meticulous planning to address all potential risks that may emerge during the exercise. As part of our process and control measures, we had Nigeria Police and military personnel to ensure crowd control.

“We also fully equipped a medical team on ground in anticipation of potential risks during an exercise of that magnitude. Their presence was part of our proactive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.

“The disposal of the food items got off to a smooth start at about 0800hrs. We enjoyed the cooperation of the large crowd that obliged us, giving preferences to the elderly, people living with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable Nigerians who showed up for the exercise. This was the case up until about 1700hrs, as attested to by the over 5000 beneficiaries and members of the press.

“However, unforeseen challenges arose when we ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, leading to a regrettable outcome. The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. In the stampede that ensued, some fatalities and injuries were regrettably recorded”.

It is heartwarming that the Customs has not abandoned victims of the disaster. This shows that the agency still regrets the traumatic stampede event, and perhaps, has already put in place necessary mechanisms to checkmate its recurrence.

Last Friday, the NCS reached out to the family of Susan Odulaja, one of the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during the sale of 25kg bags of rice in Lagos on February 23, 2024. Adeniyi sent a delegation led by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs/Zonal Coordinator Zone “A,” Hammi Swomen, to visit the family in Jibowu, Lagos.

During the visit, the Zonal Coordinator expressed the NCS’s deepest condolences to the family, stating, “We remember the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of four precious lives during the disposal of 25kg bags of rice at a reduced price of N10,000. We are here to support this family and demonstrate our commitment to their well-being.”

This visit marks the second time the NCS has reached out to the family, demonstrating the service’s commitment to showing compassion and empathy to those affected by the tragedy. “We are here on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs to support this family. This is our second visit, but it is to demonstrate our continued support to the family,” he explained.

In response, Odulaja appreciated the Customs representatives for their visit and support. He said, “I thank God and the Nigeria Customs Service for their support. Any support that they give us, I will ensure that I use it wisely and invest it in the children.”

Without mincing words, the NCS delegation’s visit to the Odulaja family in Jibowu, was a profound demonstration of solidarity and support. To add, the heartfelt condolences extended by the NCS leadership to the grieving family underscored nothing, but its genuine concern and empathy for those affected by the tragic incident.

It is noteworthy that the Swomen-led delegation’s visit was not an isolated act of kindness. Rather, it is a continuation of the NCS’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance and comfort to the families of the stampede victims.

The NCS, by returning for a second time, has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to standing by the affected families, offering not only words of solace, but tangible support in their time of need.

Furthermore, Swomen’s pledge to collaborate with the Odulaja family and provide ongoing support reflects the NCS’s proactive approach to addressing the repercussions of the tragedy. By pledging its continued assistance and engagement, the Nigeria Customs hopes to ease the burden carried by the bereaved family, giving them a sense of solidarity and reassurance amidst their sorrow.

The reciprocal gratitude expressed by Michael Odulaja, the widower, is also significant. It highlights the tremendous value of the NCS’s outreach efforts. If anything, Odulaja’s heartfelt appreciation for the support extended by the NCS serves as a testament to the tangible difference such acts of kindness can make in the lives of those affected by tragedy.

Above all, the Nigeria Customs, by actively engaging with the affected families and collaborating with hospital officials, is demonstrating its proactive approach to addressing the aftermath of the tragedy, with a view to ensuring that those impacted receive the care and assistance they need. Otherwise, navigating through this challenging time will be an uphill task for them.

Mahmud is the Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, and wrote in via: [email protected].