The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed that 10 people, including four children, lost their lives in a tragic stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.
The stampede occurred around 6:30 am as a large crowd, estimated to be over 1,000 people, gathered to receive food items meant for vulnerable and elderly individuals.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, reported that the authorities quickly responded to the situation, evacuating the scene and restoring order.
“This unfortunate event, which took place around 6:30 am, resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including four children, and left eight others injured,” she said.
Four of the injured individuals have been treated and released, while the others continue to receive medical care.
The FCT Police Rapid Response Squad and the FCT Joint Task Force were able to disperse the remaining crowd, which had grown beyond control.
In a show of support, Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, visited the injured in the hospital, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and ensuring that proper care was being provided to the victims.
Adeh also issued a warning to event organizers, urging them to notify the police of any public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in advance.
She emphasized the importance of this notification to allow for the deployment of appropriate security measures to ensure public safety.
Failure to comply, she warned, would result in organizers being held accountable for any ensuing incidents or loss of life.
The incident in Abuja follows a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, where at least 35 children died in a stampede at a children’s funfair just days before.
The stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church occurred during a food distribution event aimed at providing relief to struggling residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and nearby areas.
