The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Monday the suspension of the sale of food items following a tragic incident at the NCS Old Zonal Headquarters in Lagos State’s Yaba area, where seven people reportedly lost their lives in a stampede on Friday.
Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller General of Customs, disclosed the suspension in a statement released on Monday.
The NCS had initiated the sale of seized food items at N10,000 per 25kg bag to help alleviate the public’s suffering due to the prevailing high cost of living and economic challenges.
The stampede occurred on Friday when suspected hoodlums attempted to force their way into the Yaba Customs office compound, resulting in the deaths of a pregnant woman and six others.
Some Lagos residents who had gathered at the NCS office in Yaba expressed disappointment at the suspension of the initiative on Monday.
During a visit to the Customs office at Yaba, it was observed that despite officers’ efforts to inform the public that the service was out of stock, crowds of people, including the elderly, continued to gather at the gate in hopes of purchasing rice.
Toyin Oke-Owo, one of the intending buyers, expressed frustration, urging President Bola Tinubu to address the country’s economic hardships.
Another woman, Adesola Odefunso, pleaded for assistance in persuading the authorities to distribute the available rice to those who had been waiting since morning.
In a statement released on Monday evening, the NCS spokesperson announced the suspension of the sale exercise in light of the recent tragic events.
The statement conveyed the NCS’s regret over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The service assured that it was collaborating with health authorities to provide support to the affected families.
