A tragic stampede on Saturday morning at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, claimed the lives of at least 10 people, including children, while leaving many others injured.
The incident occurred during a palliative distribution organized by the church to assist struggling families in the community. Over 3,000 people from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and nearby areas had gathered for relief items such as food, creating a chaotic scene between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. Witnesses described the overwhelming crowd surge as the main cause of the stampede.
One witness, a mother of five, recounted the heartbreaking moments:
“Some of them arrived as early as 4:00 AM to queue for the palliatives. It’s devastating. May God receive their souls and protect the rest of us from such harm.”
Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident, stating, “It’s true, though details are still sketchy.” He also announced the indefinite suspension of the palliative distribution.
Security agencies, including the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed to restore order and ensure the calm evacuation of the remaining crowd.
This incident follows another tragic stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier in the week, where 35 children died during a funfair at Islamic High School in Bashorun. That event, similarly marked by an overwhelming crowd, turned deadly when attendees rushed for food and gifts.
The recent tragedies have raised serious concerns about the safety measures at large public gatherings, especially during the festive season. Nigerians are mourning the lives lost and calling for stricter regulations to prevent such devastating occurrences in the future, especially celebration times.
