At least 10 people, including children, lost their lives, and several others were injured during a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, this Saturday morning.
The tragic event occurred as over 3,000 residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and nearby communities rushed to receive palliatives distributed by the church ahead of Christmas.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many arriving as early as 4:00 AM. The surge between 7:00 and 8:00 AM led to the fatal stampede.
Authorities have suspended the distribution, and security forces were deployed to restore order.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the tragic development, noting the suspension of the palliative distribution.
“Yes it’s true but with sketchy details,” he said.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic and tragic, revealing that at least seven of the deceased were children.
Many attendees arrived as early as 4am, hoping to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede occurred between 7am and 8am when the crowd surged forward.
“10 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 stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.
In response to the chaos, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd. The church premises, initially filled with anxious beneficiaries, gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.
This tragedy mirrors a similar incident that occurred just days earlier in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured. The event, held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan, attracted over 5,000 children and turned fatal when attendees rushed to receive food and gifts distributed by the organisers.
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