Red Christmas: A tragic reflection on desperation and neglect

It is Christmas. Hundreds of Santas in their red garbs and cotton-white beards have emerged from the woodwork to thrill and terrify children, belt out ho-ho-ho, and hand out gifts. Christmas trees adorned with décor and red baubles appear in malls and homes, and everywhere one turns, there is a splash and touch of red. […]

It is Christmas. Hundreds of Santas in their red garbs and cotton-white beards have emerged from the woodwork to thrill and terrify children, belt out ho-ho-ho, and hand out gifts. Christmas trees adorned with décor and red baubles appear in malls and homes, and everywhere one turns, there is a splash and touch of red.

In Nigeria, Christmas is red for a reason. Not for the décor or the aesthetic, but for the blood. The tragic series of stampedes occurring between 21st and 22nd December 2024 have ensured that would be the case. These sad events resulted in the loss of 67 lives, including 35 children.

The irony is that the deaths occurred at charity events. They were meant to be giving occasions, but instead, they took so much and left behind grief, sadness, and a lifetime of regrets for the affected families in Abuja, Okija, and Oyo State.

The fact that three stampedes happened within hours of each other should deeply concern us. It highlights that we are a people who rarely learn from others’ mistakes. When the incident in Oyo occurred, the organisers of the event in Okija did not take heed. And when that happened, those organising the event did not heed the warning. Thus, we bumbled our way from one stampede to another, like somnambulant trolls trampling over Nigerian lives and dreams.

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We did not learn this lesson in 2014 when 6.5 million Nigerians turned up for 4,000 job openings in the National Immigration Service. At least 16 Nigerians died in the stampede that followed. The public officials who extorted those job seekers and oversaw that disaster have since continued with their political careers while the families of the deceased have persevered, their hopes buried in the red earth.

The tragedy is that we did not learn from that incident, and years later, we are still experiencing stampedes. There was a level of desperation that resulted in the 2014 stampede. A significant portion of the population is unemployed, leading millions to apply for those limited job openings. The desperation to extort Nigerians meant more than enough were invited for the screening exercise.

In 2024, the desperation has only increased. Driven by soaring inflation rates that reached 34.6% and a significant devaluation of the naira, many are pushed to risk their lives for basic necessities. The economic policies intended to attract investment and stabilise the market have exacerbated the plight of the poor, demonstrating a disconnect between policy intentions and the socio-economic realities faced by the populace.

As a consequence, thousands of Nigerians will respond to any call for a food handout event; for a box of noodles, a bar of soap, or even a pint of oil, Nigerians are ready to push and shove their way in. It is a poor reflection on the country.

The primary cause of these stampedes appears to be inadequate crowd management combined with poor planning and infrastructure at the event sites. The lack of preventive measures, such as limiting the size of gatherings or ensuring adequate security and crowd control mechanisms, was evident in each case. For instance, the events in Oyo and Abuja were overwhelmed by thousands, leading to chaos as people surged forward to claim their share of distributed items. This underscores a critical failure to understand and implement basic event safety protocols, including the need for structured queues, controlled entry points, and emergency response plans.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, these stampedes highlight broader socio-economic issues in Nigeria. The government’s approach to economic reforms, though aimed at long-term stability, has not alleviated the short-term suffering of its citizens. Instead, it has led to increased poverty levels, with a staggering 63% of Nigerians now living below the poverty line. The poor implementation of safety nets and a lack of efficient distribution mechanisms for aid have exposed vulnerable populations to life-threatening risks during public gatherings. It is senseless to die from hunger and starvation, or to die from desperate attempts to secure food. Something, therefore, needs to be done.

Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that targets both the symptoms and root causes of these tragedies. First, Nigeria must adopt international best practices for managing large gatherings. This includes conducting thorough risk assessments, clearly marking entry and exit points, and deploying adequately trained security personnel to manage crowds effectively. Implementing technology such as surveillance cameras and communication systems can also provide real-time monitoring to preempt potentially dangerous situations. While I understand that these events are privately organised, there must be a stipulation that any individual or organisation organising an event for a certain number of people must obtain the necessary licences and permissions from the authorities. This would involve having the venue approved and ensuring the presence of relevant emergency services on standby.

While these measures may address the immediate causes of stampedes, the root causes will also need to be tackled. Hence, immediate reforms are necessary to reinforce social welfare programmes. The government must prioritise creating robust safety nets that can swiftly and adequately provide for the country’s destitute populace. These steps will strengthen economic and social safety nets and thereby reduce the need for ostentatious mass distribution of social goods that often compels people to advertise their poverty.

The broader implication is that economic reforms need to be re-evaluated with a focus on minimising adverse impacts on the lower socio-economic classes. While fiscal policies are essential, they must be balanced with immediate relief strategies such as food subsidies or direct cash transfers to the poorest sectors. This must be done reasonably, without requiring people to gather, as we seem to prefer this style of administering aid.

However, all of this will be useless without public education and awareness campaigns. While the private organisers of these events are directly responsible for what occurred in these locations, the government and its policies created the atmosphere that nurtured this desperation. The desperation of Nigerians needs to be acknowledged as a major factor. There is an aversion to orderly conduct, to queuing, and to following directives.

It is vital to increase public awareness about crowd safety and management during large events. Campaigns should educate the public on how to safely navigate and behave in crowded situations, emphasising calmness and order during distributions. The War Against Indiscipline campaigns of the 1980s championed this initiative. The National Orientation Agency needs to step in and create a public awareness campaign that addresses this aspect of our lives using legacy and social media, video skits, and whatever means are necessary.

Another vital step is accountability and transparency. The government must hold event organisers accountable for ensuring public safety. There should be a system in place to penalise those responsible for the tragedies we have witnessed and those who fail to adhere to safety protocols, coupled with transparent processes for issuing permits for large gatherings.

These stampedes are a stark reminder of the perils that arise from neglecting comprehensive planning and responsive governance. By recognising these tragic events as more than isolated incidents, but rather as indicators of deeper socio-economic issues, we have an opportunity to reform our approach to public safety and economic policy inclusively. Taking these measures may not only prevent future tragedies but also foster an environment where economic growth does not come at the expense of human life and dignity. The challenge lies not just in responding to these crises, but in using them as catalysts for meaningful change.