The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has temporarily halted the sale of seized food items across all commands in response to a tragic stampede at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, which claimed lives. The announcement was made in a statement released by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwa, on Monday.
Initially scheduled to alleviate the country’s economic challenges, the sale of seized food items resulted in a fatal incident on February 20, 2024, where seven Lagos residents lost their lives and many others were injured in a stampede.
In response to the incident, the Customs explained that the crowd’s desperation, caused by the depletion of stock, led to the unfortunate stampede. Despite a smooth start to the sale, with over 5,000 beneficiaries, challenges arose when the stock ran out, prompting the crowd to surge forward in search of rice bags inside emptied containers.
Expressing condolences to the affected families, the Customs announced the suspension of the sales exercise pending an internal investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. The statement emphasized the need for a comprehensive review to ensure such events do not recur, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all involved.
