Ten persons including children have reportedly died in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.
Edum News gathered that the incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.
The event which was organised to provide relief to struggling residents, had over 3,000 people, mostly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements in attendance leading to a stampede.
Confirming the unfortunate incident, the National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, revealed that the distribution of the palliative have been suspended.
He said, “Yes it’s true but with sketchy details.”
Also confirming the tragedy, an eye witness said, “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.
“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.”
A combined team of police, military, and DSS officers are said to have been deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
The tragedy is coming few days after the stampede that happened in Ibadan during the Christmas carnival organized by ex-queen Naomi Silekunola.
