Breaking: Stampede Over Abuja Palliative Leads To Death of 10 Persons, Others Injured
A stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning has reportedly led to the death of at least 10 people, including children, are feared dead, and several others sustaining various degress of injuries.
The stampede occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
Didactic Information Hut reports that the event organised by the Church to provide relief to struggling residents, drew over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, who confirmed the tragic development noted that the palliative distribution has been suspended.
“Yes it’s true but with sketchy details,” he said.
An eyewitness who revealed that at least seven of the deceased were children added that the scene was chaotic and tragic.
Didactic Information Hut gathered that many attendees arrived as early as 4:00 AM, hoping to secure their share of the palliatives. Unfortunately, the stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged forward.
“10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on.
“Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate. Some of them arrived as early as 4:00 AM. Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.
“The stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, said.
Meanwhile, a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers has been deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
This is coming after over 35 children died in a palliative event in Ibadan.
