An unconfirmed number of residents of Okija community in Anambra state have reportedly lost their lives in a stampede.

TheCable understands that the stampede occurred on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice.

Victims of the stampede are mostly women.

Multiple social media videos seen by TheCable show lifeless bodies laying on the ground after the incident.

Some victims have reportedly been taken to nearby hospitals.

Charles Aburime, the chief press secretary to the Anambra governor, confirmed the incident when contacted.

Aburime said the state government is monitoring the situation and would soon release a statement.

The incident is coming a few days after over 35 people, mostly children, died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

The Anambra stampede is the second rice distribution-related mishap in 2024.

In March, some students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were killed in a stampede during the distribution of rice donated by the state government.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has organised advanced training programmes for its officers in the Advance Passenger Information System and Passenger Targeting/Intelligence Gathering.

The training aimed to strengthen the agency’s ability to target and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo, and mail, combating illicit drug trafficking.

It also sought to improve international collaboration between countries of origin, transit, and destination to dismantle cross-border criminal networks.

In a statement on Friday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the training, which was facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, was held recently in Côte d’Ivoire and Abuja.

“Two key NDLEA Commanders, ACGN Usman Ali Wadar of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command and CN Mohammed Ajiya of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport participated in the six-day training in Abidjan. Additionally, 13 officers from MMIA and NAIA underwent a five-day session in Abuja. The officers are now tasked with cascading their newfound knowledge to their colleagues,” he added.

He said the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) lauded the officers for their commitment, urging them to integrate the newly acquired skills into their daily operations at the airports to enhance security and disrupt drug trafficking networks.

2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to fulfill the bail conditions of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.

Farotimi was granted bail by an Ekiti Magistrate Court in a defamation case involving Afe Babalola.

The bail conditions require a N30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own a house), surrendering his passport, and refraining from granting media interviews.

Peter Obi’s decision was announced by Tanko Yunusa, a former spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, in a statement shared on Friday via his X account.

Yunusa explained that Obi, as a proponent of the rule of law, wanted the issue resolved in a way that respects legal processes and benefits everyone involved.

“I consulted His Excellency, Peter Obi, as the leader of the Obidient Movement. As a respecter of rule of law, due process, and order, he offered to take Dele Farotimi on the bail conditions,” Yunusa stated.

He further conveyed Obi’s gratitude to the courts and others involved in the matter. “His concern is that the situation be resolved in the best interest of all parties and our legal system. He extended his sincere appreciation to all concerned,” Yunusa added.