At least ten people, including seven children, tragically lost their lives, and several others were injured in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
The event, aimed at supporting low-income individuals, drew over 3,000 attendees, primarily from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and nearby communities.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking, noting that many had arrived as early as 4:00 AM to secure their share of the aid.
The stampede happened between 7:00 and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged uncontrollably, leading to fatalities and injuries.
Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident and announced an indefinite suspension of the palliative distribution.
Security forces, including the police, military, and DSS, were deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd. By midday, the church grounds, once filled with desperate beneficiaries, had been cleared.
This tragedy comes just days after a similar stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State, claimed the lives of 35 children at a children’s funfair.
As the community mourns, an eyewitness, a mother of five, offered a heartfelt prayer: “May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm.”
