’10 dead’ in stampede during palliative distribution in Abuja church

At least ten people, including children, have reportedly died in a stampede that occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.

The victims reportedly lost their lives during the stampede on Saturday morning.

TheCable understands that the event for distributing the palliatives took place on the church premises.

A witness claiming anonymity told TheCable that people gathered at the church gate as early as 5am.

Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson in Abuja, confirmed the incident.

In a statement, Adeh said eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“The FCT Police Command expresses its profound sorrow over the tragic incident that occurred at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individual,” the statement reads.

“This unfortunate event, which took place around 6:30 AM, resulted in a stampede that claimed the lives of ten (10) individuals, including four (4) children, and left eight (8) others with varying degrees of injuries.

“Four (4) of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims continue to receive medical care.”

A similar incident had occurred in Anambra. An unconfirmed number of residents of Okija community in the state were said to have lost their lives in a stampede on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice.

Victims of the stampede are mostly women.

The incidents come three days after over 35 people, mostly children, died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.