At least 10 people, including children, tragically lost their lives in a stampede that occurred at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning. This incident unfolded during a palliative distribution event organized by the church to provide relief to struggling residents in nearby communities.
According to reports, the stampede happened around 7:00 AM as thousands of residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other surrounding areas scrambled to collect the aid being distributed. Eyewitnesses confirmed that over 3,000 people gathered on the church premises, with many arriving as early as 4:00 AM to secure a spot in line.
The tragic scene turned chaotic as the crowd surged, leading to the death of at least 10 people, seven of whom were children. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. An eyewitness described the incident as both heartbreaking and devastating, recounting the overwhelming number of people present and the panic that ensued.
The distribution of palliatives, intended to alleviate the hardships faced by residents, was suspended indefinitely following the tragedy. A mother of five who witnessed the event expressed sorrow, stating, “10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call confirming their passing. Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliatives, with many arriving as early as 4:00 AM. It’s unfortunate. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm.”
Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident and the indefinite suspension of the distribution exercise. Authorities, including a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers, were deployed to restore order. The premises have since been cleared to prevent further incidents.
This heartbreaking event in Abuja mirrors similar tragedies in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Okija, Anambra State, where stampedes at public events also resulted in multiple fatalities. These recurring incidents have raised serious concerns about crowd management and safety measures during large gatherings.
The church and local authorities have expressed their condolences to the bereaved families. Investigations are underway to understand the factors that led to the stampede and how such tragedies can be avoided in the future.
