The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended its food disposal initiative following a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of seven individuals on February 23. The incident occurred during the distribution of 25kg bags of rice at the NCS Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State. Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, announced the suspension in a statement released on Monday. This decision reflects the NCS's commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians and taking the necessary time to plan its next steps thoughtfully, in order to uphold the initiative's objectives.

The NCS had previously announced on February 20 its intention to facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government. This initiative was a response to the prevailing challenges of food security in Nigeria and the rising costs of essential food items, with a specific focus on improving the lives of the less privileged. The distribution of 25kg bags of rice commenced on February 23 at a discounted price of N10,000 in Lagos, with measures in place to ensure that those most in need benefitted from the exercise.

However, during the distribution process, unforeseen challenges arose when the bags of rice ran out of stock, leading to heightened desperation among the crowd. The situation escalated when the NCS announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, resulting in a regrettable stampede as individuals surged through barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. Tragically, fatalities and injuries occurred during the stampede, prompting the NCS to suspend the initiative until a thorough investigation could be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

The NCS has initiated an internal investigation to understand the sequence of events leading to the stampede and is working closely with hospital authorities to provide support and assistance to the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the NCS Spokesperson emphasized that the process of selling the rice was conducted in accordance with regulations. He clarified that the revenue generated from the sales of the rice was directed to the federation account, despite criticisms from some quarters suggesting that the rice should have been distributed free of charge to the vulnerable in society. He reiterated that the decision to sell the rice at a discounted price aimed to enable indigent individuals to afford it, although due to the chaotic situation during the distribution, the rice was eventually given out for free.

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