10 dead, many injured in stampede at Abuja church palliative event

Tragedy struck on Saturday morning at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, as a stampede during a palliative distribution exercise claimed at least 10 lives, including four children, and left several others injured.

The victims, mainly residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements, had gathered in large numbers for the relief items meant for struggling households.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. when the crowd surged forward, creating chaos and overwhelming the event organizers. The stampede resulted in eight injuries, with four victims discharged after treatment, while others remain hospitalized.

This incident mirrors a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier this week, where a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of at least 35 children and critically injured six others.

Following the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command expressed profound sorrow over the tragic event and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

“The FCT Police Command deeply regrets the unfortunate incident that occurred during the food distribution at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama. We mourn the loss of 10 lives, including four children, and stand with the injured as they recover,” said SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement.

Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the hospitalized victims to offer support and reassurances. The Command also emphasized the importance of pre-event notifications to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“All organizations, religious bodies, and individuals planning public events or gatherings in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance to ensure adequate security arrangements. Failure to comply will result in liability for any resulting loss of life,” the statement read.

Efforts to reach Nkechi Isa, spokesperson for the FCT Emergency Management Department, for further details were unsuccessful as of press time. Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has deployed its Rapid Response Squad and Joint Task Force to manage the aftermath and prevent further casualties.

The Police further urged residents to cooperate with authorities by adhering to safety guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies to the FCT Control Room.