Adewale Adeniyi the Comptroller General of Customs, had announced that the distribution of seized food items would commence on Friday the 23rd of February.
The requirements for collection of the rice was, National Identification Number (NIN) and the sum of N10,000 for half bag of rice, however customs later removed the fee and started sharing the rice for free.
Many rushed to the Customs office at Yaba with hopes to secure their share of the rice, however due to the amount of people present a stampede ensued and several people have been reported feared dead.
There are reports that some people were trampled upon as well as a pregnant woman being pushed into the gutter.
A man when interviewed by newsmen, stated that he had witnessed people fainting and being trampled on, “I meet like more than fifty people for my front, as an old man I have six children at home and I don’t have any food at home, as I heard they are sharing rice I said whether na die or live, I must take something to my house” he said.
A man was reported to have been stamped on after falling at the customs office when trying to secure rice, when he fell he couldn’t get any help standing up and he died when he was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.