A tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday claimed the lives of 10 people, including four children, and left eight others injured.
The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals. According to reports, four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are still receiving medical care.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Police Issues Directive for Event Organizers
In a statement, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, emphasized the need for organizers of public events or charity initiatives to notify the police beforehand.
“This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies. Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from their negligence,” the statement read.
The Police Command also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and urged the public to collaborate by reporting emergencies via the FCT Control Room at 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234.
Further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the stampede.
