Abuja Stampede: 10 Feared Dead, Many Injured During Church Palliative Distribution

Olufemi Orunsola 

In another tragic incident of stampede in Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, no fewer than 10 people, including children, are feared dead, while several others sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the fatal incident occurred when thousands of residents scrambled to receive a share of the palliatives being distributed by the church.

OTN News further gathered that the event which was organised in good faith by the Church to provide relief to struggling residents, attracted more than 3,000 people, as non parishioners, mostly people from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements, made their way to venue of the palliative distribution.

OTN News further reports that the tragic incident has been confirmed by the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh who revealed that the palliative distribution process had been suspended.

In his words, “Yes it’s true. But with sketchy details."

OTN News gathreed that many attendees arrived at the venue as early as 4 a.m. just to ensure that they get counted in among the beneficiaries of the palliatives. 

However, the stampede occurred between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., when the crowd surged forward.

According to an eyewitness who is a mother of five children who spoke with the press, "Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate.

“Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements."

The woman confirmed that “10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on."

Meanwhile, in swift response to the commotion that ensued, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers were deployed to restore order and disperse the desperate crowd.

As at the time of filing this report, the crowd of potential beneficiaries that gathered at the church premises have been gradually cleared as security personnel enforced the suspension.

The Abuja stampede is one of the unfortunate cases of avoidable deaths and loss of lives of minors, vulnerable women in stampedes within just a week.