At least 10 people, including children, lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.
The tragic incident unfolded as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
The distribution event, aimed at providing relief to struggling communities, attracted over 3,000 attendees, predominantly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby areas.
Confirming the incident, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, described the details as still emerging but confirmed the suspension of further distributions.
“Yes it’s true but with sketchy details,” he stated.
According to an eyewitness, chaos erupted as attendees surged forward, resulting in a stampede.
The witness, who described the scene as heartbreaking, disclosed that 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 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,” said the witness, a mother of five.
Security agencies, including the police, military, and DSS, were deployed to control the situation and restore calm.
The church grounds, previously crowded with anxious beneficiaries, were gradually cleared following the suspension.
This heartbreaking event follows a similar tragedy earlier in the week in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair led to the deaths of at least 35 children, with six others critically injured.
That incident occurred at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, where over 5,000 children had gathered to receive food and gifts distributed by the organizers.
