Not fewer than 10 persons, including children, reportedly to have lost their lives, with others sustaining injuries during a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday.
Reports gathered revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred as thousand of residents scrambled to collect palliatives distributed by the church.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the crowd, comprising residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other surrounding communities, began arriving at the venue as early as 4:00 AM to secure relief materials.
However, the situation spiraled out of control between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the eager beneficiaries surged forward, resulting in the stampede.
According to an eyewitness, who is also a mother of five, said, “Around 3,000 people turned up, and it became chaotic. Sadly, 10 people, including children, have been confirmed dead. It’s a tragic situation, and I pray for the departed souls”.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, who acknowledged the incident, said, “Yes, the report is accurate, but the details are still unclear at the moment”.
In response to the calamity, security agencies, including the police, military, and DSS, were deployed to manage the situation and disperse the gathering.
The church immediately halted the palliative distribution indefinitely as security personnel evacuated the premises.
Recall that this incident is reminiscent of another tragedy that occurred recently in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede during a children’s funfair led to the deaths of over 35 children and left six others critically injured.
