The Ilorin Sallah stampede was a human stampede that occurred at Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, North-central Nigeria on Eid al-Fitr (Sallah day) at the end of Ramadan in 2013. The stampede resulted in the death of 20 people and left several others severely injured. Four people died the first day, and 16 more over the next few days. The incident occurred on 16 October 2013 at Senator Bukola Saraki's house. Saraki is the two-term governor of Kwara State and the incumbent President of the Senate of Nigeria.
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Background
Senator Bukola Saraki's father, the late Alhaji Abubakar Olusola Saraki, was a philanthropist who often gave food and clothing to the needy, especially at the Eid al-Fitr celebrations at the end of Ramadan. Saraki gave rice, chicken and sometimes money to the widows, the aged, and the poor before his death on November 14, 2012. On every Sallah day, thousands of people would queue at his residence at the Government Reservation Area, Ilorin, Kwara State, to receive the annual gifts.
Following the death of Alhaji Olusola Saraki, his son Bukola Saraki decided to continue this philanthropic act on every Sallah day. This philanthropic act contributed significantly to Saraki's political ambition and had profound effects on his breakthrough in Nigerian politics. Thousands of people lined up at his residence for the annual gifts.
Previous incidents
This was not the first time that stampedes had occurred at his residence. A similar stampede occurred on November 17, 2010, during his campaign for election as a member of the 7th National Assembly, and at least eleven of his campaigners died. On May 27, 2011, during his inauguration ceremony, 25 people were reported dead following distributions of clothing and money to his electoral supporters. These "annual rituals" and deaths almost came to be expected. A spokesperson has said that although some in the press had blamed the deaths on the disorderly behaviour of the crowds, efforts would be made to improve the distribution of the gifts.