In a tragic turn of events, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has decided to suspend the sale of seized food items following a stampede that resulted in loss of lives at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, last Friday.
The Customs, aiming to alleviate the economic burden on citizens, had announced the disposal of seized food items on February 20, 2024. The initial phase of the operation commenced smoothly at the Yaba office, with over 5000 beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups, participating in an orderly manner.
Trending: Gombe Student Wins International Quranic Recitation Competition in Jordan
However, as the event progressed and supplies ran out, the Customs announced a continuation the next day. Unfortunately, this decision triggered a desperate surge among the crowd searching for rice bags within emptied containers, leading to a stampede with regrettable fatalities and injuries.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the Customs spokesperson, expressed deep condolences to the affected families and revealed that the Service is collaborating with health authorities to support victims and their families.
In response to the incident, the NCS has initiated an internal investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Consequently, the Federal Government announced the suspension of the food items sale until a thorough understanding of the events of February 23, 2024, is established.
The Customs emphasized the need to take a pause to develop a more comprehensive and robust action plan, ensuring the safety of participants and preventing a recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.
Read more: Kano Court Orders Arrest of Popular Musician Ado Gwanja
As the investigation unfolds, the focus is on supporting the affected families and reassessing the procedures to ensure the noble intention of aiding citizens in times of economic strain is achieved without compromising safety.
Source Link: Channels TV
Follow us on Google News for Latest Headlines
Join Our WhatsApp, Facebook, or Telegram Group For More News, Click This Link Below;
WhatsApp Channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaELqhlHVvTXjDnUf80h
WhatsApp Group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/G6Lo3ss6WKLCOqBphZwQGk
Facebook Page
https://facebook.com/allmedia24news
Our Twitter Page
https://www.twitter.com/allmedia24news
Telegram Group
https://www.threads.net/@allmedia24news
