A tragic stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in at least 10 deaths, including four children, during a food-sharing event. Over 3,000 people, many from impoverished communities, were caught in the surge. The incident highlights Nigeria's poverty crisis and the need for better crowd control.
A tragic stampede occurred during a food-sharing event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on the weekend, leaving at least 10 people dead, including four children, and many others injured.
The event, intended to bring relief to the poor, turned into a nightmare when the crowd became uncontrollable. Survivors described the scene as chaotic, with people being swept away as the gates were forced open. Victims, including parents and children, had come from nearby poverty-stricken communities like Mpape and Gishiri, hoping to receive food and essentials. Among the survivors, Ruth Idoko, a mother from Gishiri, recounted how she witnessed her husband fall to the crushing crowd.
Eyewitnesses spoke of a massive surge, with more than 3,000 people pushing to get through the gates. Some had camped out overnight, desperate for the little food that could sustain their families. The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident a devastating blow to the community, while the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) highlighted systemic issues contributing to such tragedies.
The federal government issued an advisory on public events, urging organizers to work with law enforcement for crowd control. The stampede, which mirrors other deadly incidents this December, underscores the dire poverty many Nigerians face, with desperate citizens risking everything for basic survival needs.
