A stampede during a palliative distribution event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja left several dead and injured. Survivors, like Amarachi Nwosu, share harrowing accounts of the chaos. The event, meant to aid the struggling, highlighted the dangers of overcrowding and inadequate crowd control amidst food insecurity.
On December 21, 2024, tragedy struck at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja when a stampede broke out during a palliative distribution event, resulting in deaths and injuries. Amarachi Nwosu, 32, and her three-year-old son, Obinna, were among the fortunate survivors, but their experience was harrowing. Amarachi recounted how she was pushed by the crowd and almost lost her son in the chaos.
Despite the church’s well-intentioned effort to help those struggling with food insecurity, the lack of proper crowd control led to the deadly surge. Many attendees, like 18-year-old Terngu Nyam, who broke his arm while trying to collect food for his family, were injured. Tragically, a 65-year-old widow from Mpape lost her life in the stampede. The church had organized the event through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, but the overwhelming crowd and desperation for food caused the stampede.
As the incident unfolded, security measures proved ineffective, with some parishioners stating that the security personnel couldn't manage the throngs of people. While some survivors received medical attention, the emotional scars are expected to last longer. Despite surviving the ordeal, Amarachi remains concerned about her family's future, wondering how they will manage without assistance.
