Tragically, a stampede occurred at a Catholic Church in Abuja during a Christmas food distribution, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuries to many others.
This incident bears similarities to the stampede that took place in Ibadan during a similar event.
The annual Christmas food-sharing event by the Saint Vincent De Paul Society in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Saturday recorded about 10 casualties, including children who lost their lives at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.
During the incident that occurred in the early morning hours, several individuals who gathered near the church reportedly sustained injuries.
The charity event usually draws the less privileged from Mpape, Gishiri, and other neighbouring settlements to the church.
The stampede is happening after a similar event organised for children in Ibadan, Oyo State, claimed many lives.
Efforts to get the reaction of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Moses Jimbili, to comment on the matter were unsuccessful, as he neither responded to calls placed across to his mobile line at 1:14 pm and 1:35 pm, respectively nor responded to a text message sent at 1:37 pm.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the tragic development, noting that the palliative distribution has been suspended.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic and tragic, revealing that at least seven of the deceased were children. The eyewitness account further indicated that many people arrived at the venue as early as 4:00 am, hoping to secure their share of the palliatives before the stampede occurred between 7:00 am and 8:00 am when the crowd surged forward.
“Ten 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 distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and the police have dispersed the crowd. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the incident in a statement by the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh.
She confirmed that the FCT Police Rapid Response Squad and the FCT Joint Task Force had successfully evacuated the remaining crowd, which numbered over a thousand, and the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has also 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 that all organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incidents or loss of life resulting from negligence,” she said.
She restated that the FCT Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the territory
