The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and families affected by the tragic stampede that occurred during rice distribution events in Abuja, Anambra, and Oyo states.

The Minister described the incident, which led to injuries and loss of lives, as deeply saddening and regrettable.

Senator Kyari called on individuals and organizations involved in food distribution to work closely with security agencies to better manage crowds and avoid similar tragedies in the future.

“In challenging times, our ability to unite and support one another determines our progress. We must honor the memories of those lost by taking measures to prevent such incidents from happening again,” he stated.

He further assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, to ensuring access to affordable and quality food for everyone.

“President Tinubu has pledged to create a nation where no one goes to bed hungry,” he said. “Our ministry is actively supporting farmers by lowering production costs to combat food inflation.”

The Minister also highlighted the government’s current efforts: “Under the 2024-2025 dry season farming initiative, approximately 280,000 farmers are benefiting from subsidies designed to increase production. Through the NAGS-AP program, we are offering a 75 percent discount on essential farming inputs, including fertilizers, chemicals, and seeds.”