Food disposal initiative hit by tragedy as Customs halts operation

Food disposal initiative hit by tragedy as Customs halts operation

In a bid to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) initiated a noble intervention on the directive of Mr. President.

According to a statement by Abdullahi Maiwada Chief Superintendent of Customs National Public Relations Officer states that, the intervention involved the direct disposal of seized edible goods, condemned in competent courts of law and certified fit for consumption by relevant government agencies.

The pilot exercise took place on Friday, 23 February 2024, at NCS Old Zonal Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos state.

“Meticulous planning was undertaken to address potential risks during the exercise. Crowd control measures included the presence of Nigeria Police and military personnel, while a fully equipped medical team stood by in anticipation of potential risks during the sizable operation”. He added

“The disposal commenced smoothly at 0800hrs, with a large and cooperative crowd giving preferences to vulnerable participants such as the elderly, people living with disabilities, and pregnant women”.

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“This positive scenario persisted until about 1700hrs, with over 5000 beneficiaries and members of the press attesting to the successful execution of the exercise”.

However, “unforeseen challenges arose when the NCS ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day”.

“This led to a regrettable outcome as the desperate crowd charged through barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers, resulting in a stampede with recorded fatalities and injuries”.

The NCS extends heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident.

Efforts are underway to engage directly with the victims’ families, and an internal investigation has been initiated to understand the circumstances surrounding the event.

See full statement below:

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