A tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning claimed the lives of 10 people, including four children, and left several others injured. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the incident, which occurred during a food distribution event aimed at supporting the vulnerable and elderly.
The Incident
According to Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, the stampede happened around 6:30 a.m. when a crowd of over 1,000 people gathered at the church premises. Residents, primarily from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and nearby communities, rushed to collect palliatives being distributed by the church.
The overwhelming turnout led to chaos, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The injured included both adults and children, with eight people requiring medical attention.
Police Response
SP Josephine Adeh stated that law enforcement swiftly moved to restore order at the scene. The FCT Police Rapid Response Squad and the Joint Task Force evacuated the remaining crowd and secured the area to prevent further casualties.
“The FCT Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to the injured,” she said.
Medical Support and Police Visit
Four of the injured victims have been treated and discharged, while others remain hospitalized. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, visited the hospital to check on the victims and ensure they received proper care. He also expressed sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Preventive Measures and Warnings
SP Josephine Adeh emphasized the need for event organizers to notify the police in advance when planning large gatherings. She warned that failure to comply with this directive would result in accountability for any mishaps or loss of life due to negligence.
“All organizations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance,” she said. “This notification is crucial for the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.”
Context and Similar Incidents
The stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church is reminiscent of past tragedies in Nigeria. In Ibadan, Oyo State, a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of 35 children, leaving six others critically injured.
Saturday’s incident, however, occurred as residents struggled to collect food items being distributed to alleviate the harsh economic conditions affecting many households.
The church’s initiative to support struggling residents ended in heartbreak as lives were lost in the rush for relief materials. The incident highlights the urgent need for proper planning and security measures during public events to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The FCT Police Command remains committed to ensuring public safety and has reiterated the importance of collaboration with event organizers to avoid a recurrence of such devastating incidents.
