- Safiu Kehinde
Another case of stampede has reportedly claimed ten lives with several others injured during food distribution at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja
The incident occured when over 3000 residents had rushed to get the church’s palliatives.
According to reports, the church had planned to help low-income locals with the food palliatives in the spirit of the festive season.
Thing would, however, go sour as the mammoth crowd who came from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other surrounding communities stormed the church, leading to the unfortunate stampede due to the rowdiness.
Confirming the incident, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said that the palliative handout had been suspended.
“Yes, but the details are hazy,” he said.
According to eyewitnesses who described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking, at least seven of the dead were children.
The crowd had reportedly gathered at the church as early as 4:00pm in an attempt to get their fair share of palliatives.
Things would began to take drastic turn as the mob surged forward between 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning, causing the stampede.
NPO earlier reported similar incident today at Okija area of Anambra state where stampede had also occured at a rice distribution event, leaving many dead and several others injured.
This makes it the third recorded stampede in one week following Tuesday’s ill-fated children’s funfair at Ibadan where 35 minors were confirmed dead.