A devastating stampede occurred on Saturday morning at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, leaving at least 10 people dead and many injured. The tragedy unfolded as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
Details of the Incident:
- Over 3,000 people attended the event, hoping to receive relief items.
- The crowd became restless, leading to a stampede between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
- At least seven children are among the reported dead.
- Many attendees arrived as early as 4:00 AM, eager to secure their share of the palliatives.
Official Response:
- The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the incident and announced the suspension of the palliative distribution.
- A combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
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Eyewitness Account:
- An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic and tragic, revealing that the crowd surged forward, leading to the stampede.
- The witness reported that the distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing.
This incident bears a striking resemblance to a similar tragedy that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, just days earlier, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children.
Source: Vanguard
