• About Us
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ Podcast
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Freelanews
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Freelanews
No Result
View All Result
Home General

Customs suspend rice sale after seven die in stampede

Quadri Olaitan by Quadri Olaitan
February 28, 2024
in General
0
Customs suspends sale of seized rice after death of seven buyers in Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service, on Monday, announced the suspension of the sale of foodstuffs following a stampede that reportedly killed seven persons at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos State on Friday.

The Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed the suspension of the exercise in a statement on Monday.

Nigeria Customs had said it was selling seized food items at N10,000 per 25kg to alleviate the people’s suffering as a result of the current high cost of living and other economic hardships.

On Friday, a pregnant woman and six others reportedly died in a stampede after some suspected hoodlums attempted to force their way into the Yaba Customs office compound.

Some Lagos residents who thronged the NCS office in Yaba expressed disappointment on Monday following the suspension of the initiative.

When our correspondent visited the Customs office at Yaba on Monday, a mass of people, including the elderly, queued up in front of the gate to buy the rice.

The Press also observed that despite spirited efforts by officers to assure the people that the service was out of stock, the crowd continued to grow.

Speaking with The Press at the scene, one of the intending buyers, identified as Toyin Oke-Owo, urged President Bola Tinubu to find a lasting solution to the economic hardship in the country.

She said, “I have been here since 8 am. They said there would be no rice again. I have not eaten anything since this morning. Help us to tell the President that we are hungry.

“They said they wouldn’t sell it because some people died here. They have been chasing us away with a cane. I am hungry. This morning, I soaked cassava flour for my child to drink as breakfast.

Another woman, who identified herself as Adesola Odefunso, said, “Please, help us to beg them that they should distribute what they have to those of us who have been here since morning.

“We are not as many as the people who came here on Friday. Help us to beg them to give us rice. We have been here since 5 am. We didn’t sleep throughout the night because of this rice.”

Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday evening, the NCS said the suspension became necessary considering “the recent unfortunate event.”

“We regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, February 23, 2024,” the NCS spokesman said.

He explained that: “The disposal of the food items got off to a smooth start at about 0800hrs. We enjoyed the cooperation of the large crowd that obliged us, giving preferences to the elderly, people living with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable Nigerians who showed up for the exercise.

“This was the case up until about 1700hrs, as attested to by the over 5,000 beneficiaries and members of the press. However, unforeseen challenges arose when we ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, leading to a regrettable outcome.

“The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. In the stampede that ensued, some fatalities and injuries were regrettably recorded.”

The Customs extended its “heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident.”

The service said it was working with health authorities to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on their next steps.

Quadri Olaitan
Quadri Olaitan

Related Posts

2023 08 23 at 15 39 24 Cause of death of Barack Obamas personal chef Tafari Campbell revealed
General

Cause of death of Barack Obama’s personal chef Tafari Campbell revealed

by Freelanews
August 23, 2023
New Naira Note 8
General

I never told Emefiele, AGF to disobey supreme court order on naira policy – Buhari

by Quadri Olaitan
March 14, 2023
Sue
General

‘Humble plea’ Lagos community sues government for negligence, demands N4 billion compensation for victims of explosion

by Freelanews
May 19, 2021
EL RUFAI PS
General

‘Kaduna election’ El-Rufai narrates reason PDP lost to APC in his polling unit

by Freelanews
September 6, 2021
#image_title
General

APC petitions DSS, demands Peter Obi, Datti’s arrest (Video)

by Quadri Olaitan
March 23, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Recent News

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025

Search

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Political persecution in Ogun State

Political persecution in Ogun State: Abiodun moves against Otunba Gbenga Daniel with demolition threats again

August 9, 2025
Omoge Saida

Omoge Saida sparks Nigerian social media over leaked video

October 28, 2025
APC Second-Term Governors

APC: Second-term governors seeking immediate elective post to lose party leadership

October 15, 2025
April Wind Couture

April Wind Couture thrives in Nigeria’s tough economy with bold Ankara vision

September 12, 2025
amoke

‘Meals by Amoke’ We serve traditional dishes in a modern way, Bukoye Fasola reveals

19
Image 2024 03 26 at 120645 AM jpeg

Charles Inojie, Ali Nuhu call on communities to #MakeWeHalla against domestic violence

11
Meran Primary Health Centre Lagos father Meran hospital

Lagos father shares heartbreaking experience at Meran Primary Health Centre (Photos)

4
fls2

‘Disarticulated system’ Gov’t confused about Nigerian education, expert laments

3
Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
NDLEA

NDLEA cracks down on illegal drug parties in Lagos

October 29, 2025
Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta’s fierce Milan draw

October 29, 2025
October 2025
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Sep    
Freelanews

Freelanews is a Nigerian digital news platform that delivers timely, credible, and engaging stories across politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle, and the creative industry, with a strong focus on promoting innovation, integrity, and inclusivity in storytelling.

Hot!

Elegant man in black suit and tie, formal attire, professional settings, business or news context.

Cubana Chiefpriest mocks Burna Boy, hails Davido

October 29, 2025
Modern white government building with a green dome, tropical palm trees, and clear skies in the background, reflecting classical architecture and tropical urban development in a coastal city.

National Assembly security threat raises alarm

October 29, 2025
No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Crime
  • Business
  • Brands
  • Banking
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Entertainment
  • Podcast
    • Àtẹ́lẹwọ́
  • Sports
  • Events

© 2025 Freelanews | by Iretura.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.