The recent series of tragic stampedes across Nigeria has cast a harsh light on the country's escalating humanitarian crisis, as at least 23 individuals were killed during chaotic food distribution events.

These disasters, which unfolded at sites in the capital, Abuja, and the southeastern city of Okija in Anambra State, underscore the vulnerability of Nigeria’s impoverished citizens, especially amid worsening economic conditions.

In Abuja, a sombre atmosphere shrouded a local church's attempt to provide relief when a mass panic ensued, resulting in the deaths of ten people, including four children.

Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Abuja police, reported to Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the heart-rending incident also left eight others injured.

Meanwhile, in Okija, media reports and state police representative Ikenga Tochukwu confirmed a similarly grim occurrence, with at least 13 fatalities counted.

Exact figures remain elusive as investigations into the cause and response to the panic continue.

This string of tragedies follows just three days after another catastrophic event in southwestern Nigeria, where 35 children perished under similar circumstances.

Such recurring catastrophes during food distributions reflect the fragile state of Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric.

Traditionally, the Christmas season in Nigeria is marked by charity and community aid efforts, drawing massive throngs of individuals seeking assistance.

However, the increasing frequency of panic-induced fatalities reveals the desperate times that have gripped the nation.

As the economic crisis deepens, large sections of the population are being pulled toward these distributions, often spurred by acute food insecurity and poverty.

In response to the Abuja tragedy, local authorities have mandated that any charity operations likely to attract large gatherings must be reported in advance, aiming to prevent further disasters.

Yet, this knee-jerk regulatory action seems more like a temporary band-aid than a solution to the systemic issues plaguing the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Experts point to Nigeria's broader economic malaise as a critical backdrop for these tragic events.

A faltering economy, exacerbated by global inflationary pressures, has plunged more Nigerians into destitution, inflating the ranks of those reliant on charitable food distributions.

Addressing these humanitarian challenges requires a measured response that balances the immediate needs of the vulnerable with structural economic reforms.

As Nigeria grapples with these twin crises of poverty and inadequate public safety measures during aid distributions, it must consider long-term solutions to mitigate these tragedies in the future.