A tragic stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, December 21, 2024.
The incident took place as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
Sadly, at least 10 people, including children, are feared dead, with many others injured. Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, noting that many arrived as early as 4:00 AM to secure their share of the palliatives.
The stampede happened between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged forward.
Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the tragic event and announced the suspension of the palliative distribution. Security forces, including police, military, and DSS officers, were deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, earlier in the week, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.
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