‘I almost lost my 3-year-old son, but what do we eat now?’ – Survivor of Abuja stampede cries out
Amarachi Nwosu, a 32-year-old mother from Mararaba, Abuja, reveals the horror of narrowly escaping tr@gedy with her three-year-old son, Obinna, during a dis$strous stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The Nigerian government, in the fight against hunger and starvation in the country, has put in place palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians amid the yuletide season.
However, what should have been a moment of relief turned into chaos as thousands of people scrambled for palliatives in an increasingly desperate economic climate.
In an emotional message from the woman, which reads “I just wanted food for my children,” Amarachi said, her voice trembling.
“The cost of food is unbearable. Even a cup of rice is now a luxury.” Like many others, Amarachi arrived at the church grounds at dawn, hopeful for provisions to sustain her family.
However, as the crowd grew restless, the situation spiraled out of control. Amarachi lost her balance amidst the pushing crowd, and to her horror, Obinna slipped from her grasp.
“I thought I had lost him forever,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “A young man helped me up, and I saw a woman holding my son. I will never forget her kindness.”
Eyewitnesses described the stampede as a result of overwhelming demand for limited supplies.
Volunteers struggled to maintain order as desperation among attendees reached a boiling point.
For Amarachi, this incident shows the struggle many Nigerians are facing. The rising cost of living has left basic necessities out of reach for the average household, forcing many to rely on palliative distributions from the federal government and private individuals.
Despite surviving this troubling situation, Amarachi’s concern now moved to the future. “We made it out alive, but what do we eat now?” she said.
The story of Obinna’s mum highlights the urgent need for sustainable interventions to address hunger and poverty across Nigeria.
