At least 10 people lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning. The tragic incident occurred during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the stampede happened at approximately 6:30 AM, claiming the lives of 10 people, including four children, and leaving eight others injured.
Four of the injured victims have been treated and discharged, while the remaining are receiving medical attention.
The FCT Police Rapid Response Squad, in collaboration with the FCT Joint Task Force, successfully evacuated the crowd, which numbered over a thousand.
“The FCT Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to the injured. In a show of compassion and support,” adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu has visited the victims in the hospital to offer assistance and reassurance during this difficult time.
To prevent such tragic incidents in the future, the command has mandated all organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the FCT, to notify the police command in advance.
“This notification is crucial for the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incidents or loss of life resulting from negligence,” the statement added.
Just days earlier, a similar tragedy unfolded in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.