Seven Reportedly Die In Stampede Over Customs Rice

A stampede that occurred during the sale of rice to members of the public at the Zone ‘A’ headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Harvey Road in Yaba, Lagos has reportedly claimed seven lives.

Among the victims was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Comfort Adebanjo.

Confirming the incident, the party said Adebanjo and six others died while attempting to buy confiscated rice from the NCS in Yaba.

APC confirmed Mrs Adebanjo’s death on Saturday in an obituary it released to mourn the party member and the other casualties of the alleged stampede that occurred during the sale.

The Federal Government had put the commodity on sale for N10,000 per 25 kilogrammes (kg) at the Customs office to cushion the effect of the economic hardship in the country.

The death of Adebanjo was confirmed by the coordinator of FKL Ward E1, Lagos State of the APC, Oluwafemi Fadahunsi, and the Secretary, Adebari Adewale.

In an obituary the party released on Saturday, it wrote: “It is with heavy hearts and regret we announce the painful death of one of our members in FKL Ward E1, Mrs. Adebanjo Comfort Funmilayo of house number 104, Ibidun Street, by Akinhanmi Street, Ojuelegba.

“She was among the seven victims who died in the course of buying Customs rice at Yaba.

“May God grant all the members of her family and all the residents of Ward E1 the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”