At least 10 people lost their lives in a tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday, December 21. The incident occurred during a palliative distribution exercise organized to support residents fom Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other settlements within the Federal Capital Territory.
Witnesses reported that the stampede happened between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., leaving several others, including children and adults, injured. The exercise, aimed at providing relief, turned chaotic as the large crowd overwhelmed the venue.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Josephine Adeh, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Adeh announced new measures to prevent such tragedies, stating, “All organizations, groups, or individuals planning public events or charitable activities must notify the FCT Police Command in advance. This will ensure the deployment of adequate security measures to safeguard public safety.”
She emphasized that failure to adhere to this directive would result in legal consequences for organizers if negligence leads to loss of life. The police assured the public of their commitment to protecting lives and property across the territory.
This incident comes just three days after a similar tragedy occurred at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children were reported dead and several others injured in a stampede.
Efforts are underway to investigate the Abuja incident, and authorities urge residents to follow safety guidelines during public gatherings.
