At least 10 people, including children, have been reported dead, and several others sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.
The tragic incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
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The event, aimed at providing relief to struggling residents, attracted over 3,000 people, mainly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.
Confirming the incident, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, said, “Yes it’s true but with sketchy details.”
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic and devastating, revealing that at least seven of the deceased were children.
“10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on. Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate. Some of them arrived as early as 4:00 AM. Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, stated.
She added, “The stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm.”
In response to the chaos, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and ensure the crowd dispersed peacefully. Gradually, the church premises, once filled with anxious beneficiaries, cleared under the supervision of security personnel.
This incident comes just days after a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.
The event, held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, turned fatal when attendees rushed to collect food and gifts distributed by the organizers.
