The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the temporary suspension of its food disposal initiative.
The initiative was the brainchild of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid the lingering economic hardship.
But, the NCS suspended the initiative following a tragic incident during a pilot exercise.
In an official statement, NCS National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the initiative was launched with the aim of alleviating hardships faced by Nigerians by providing access to essential food items through the direct disposal of seized edible goods certified fit for consumption.
The pilot exercise took place on Friday, 23 February 2024, at NCS Old Zonal Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos state.
Prior to the exercise, meticulous planning was undertaken to address potential risks, with measures including the presence of Nigeria Police and military personnel for crowd control, as well as a fully equipped medical team on standby.
The disposal process commenced smoothly at 0800hrs with the cooperation of a large crowd, prioritizing vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.
However, the exercise encountered unforeseen challenges when stock ran out, leading to the announcement of its continuation the following day.
Tragically, desperation among the crowd resulted in a stampede as individuals sought rice bags inside emptied containers.
This led to several fatalities and injuries, prompting the Nigeria Customs Service to extend heartfelt condolences to the affected families and initiate an internal investigation into the incident.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer, expressed the NCS’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians.
“In light of the incident, the service has decided to suspend the food disposal initiative until a comprehensive understanding of the events of February 23 is established.
“This will enable the formulation of more robust and comprehensive measures to achieve the initiative’s noble intentions.
“The NCS appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all Nigerians as it works towards addressing the nation’s food security challenges,” he said.
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