A tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning has left at least ten people dead and numerous others injured.
The incident occurred during the distribution of palliatives by the church, which had drawn a massive crowd from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby communities. Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede happened between 7 am and 8 am as the crowd surged forward in a chaotic bid to collect the relief items.
The distribution effort, intended to provide support to struggling residents, turned deadly as the uncontrolled crowd created panic and confusion.
This tragedy bears a resemblance to a recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of 35 children.
Attempts to reach Nkechi Isa, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, for further details have so far been unsuccessful.
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the stampede to prevent future occurrences and ensure safer measures during similar relief efforts.
