A tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, December 21, claimed the lives of at least 10 people, including several children.
The incident occurred during a palliative distribution event organized by the church, which attracted over 3,000 attendees, primarily residents from nearby settlements seeking relief. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as individuals began arriving as early as 4:00 AM to secure their share of the aid. The situation spiraled out of control between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged forward, resulting in the devastating loss of life.
According to eyewitness accounts, at least seven of the deceased were children. Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the tragedy and announced the immediate suspension of the distribution program.
Authorities, including police, military, and DSS officers, were deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
This heartbreaking incident mirrors a similar tragedy in Ibadan, Oyo State, just days earlier, where a stampede at a children’s funfair led to the deaths of at least 35 children and left six critically injured. These recurring stampedes at events meant to provide relief or entertainment highlight the urgent need for improved crowd control and safety measures at public gatherings.