A tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, where a stampede during a food distribution event resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including four children.
The event, organized to provide relief to vulnerable and elderly residents, attracted a crowd exceeding 1,000 people. The large turnout led to overcrowding, culminating in a stampede around 6:30 a.m. Emergency services promptly responded, evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals. Four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while others remain under medical care.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has emphasized the necessity for organizers of public events to notify authorities in advance. This measure is intended to facilitate adequate security arrangements and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Failure to comply with this directive may result in organizers being held liable for any incidents arising from negligence.
This incident marks the second deadly stampede in Nigeria within a week, underscoring the challenges faced during large-scale charitable distributions amid the nation’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Authorities are urging better planning and crowd control measures to ensure the safety of beneficiaries at such events.
The FCT Police Command has extended condolences to the families of the deceased and is conducting an investigation into the incident. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, visited the injured in the hospital to offer support and ensure they receive proper care during this difficult time.
