A stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning has left at least 10 people, including children, dead and many others injured. The tragic incident occurred as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church to support struggling families.
The event, which aimed to provide much-needed relief, drew a crowd of over 3,000 people, mainly from nearby settlements such as Mpape and Gishiri Village. However, the distribution turned chaotic when attendees, some of whom had arrived as early as 4:00 AM, surged forward between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM in an attempt to secure their share of the items.
Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident, stating, “Yes it’s true but with sketchy details.”
Eyewitnesses described the scene as heartbreaking, with many of the victims being children. A mother of five, who witnessed the chaos, revealed, “10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on… May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm.”
In response to the tragedy, authorities deployed police, military, and DSS officers to restore order. The distribution was suspended indefinitely, and security personnel worked to clear the area.
This incident has drawn comparisons to a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of at least 35 children just days earlier.