EXCLUSIVE: One feared dead, others injured as Lagosians besiege Customs office for N10k bag of rice [Video/Photos]
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Friday commenced distributing confiscated 25kg rice bags to Nigerians at Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos state.
The 25kg rice bags are being sold at a reduced rate of N10,000 per one while 50kg sold for N20,000. Buyers are expected to provide their National Identification Number (NIN) as criteria for eligibility.
When NewsClick Nigeria team visited the Yaba office of the Service on Friday, thousands of people were seen waiting their turns to be attended to.
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However, the process later got rowdy when a prospective buyer waiting in line to buy was trampled upon. He was said to have been rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. A medical doctor who works at the hospital confirmed the sad development on X (formerly known as Twitter).
A man just died in my hospital, he was stamped on after falling at the custom office trying to get rice. He was on the queue with his wife when he fell down and couldn’t get up on time which resulted to people stamping on him. So sad. Survived by very young children. Naija 😢😢
— Dr Adunola (@yemoka) February 23, 2024
NewsClick Nigeria reported on Tuesday, February 20, that the NCS announced that distribution of seized food items to Nigerians will commence soon.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi through National Public Relations, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, said the move was to “alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items…”
Nigeria is currently falling deeper into economic crisis as many households can no longer afford basic needs due to the ever-rising cost of living.
According to market survey, the average price of a 50kg bag of Nigerian Rice today February 23, 2024 is ₦70,000 while the average price of a 25kg (half) bag of Nigerian Rice is ₦35,000.