A tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, during a food distribution event for vulnerable and elderly individuals, has claimed the lives of 10 people, including four children and left eight others injured.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning around 6:30 am. Four of the injured victims have been treated and discharged while others are still receiving medical attention.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
In a statement, SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, urged organisers of public events and charitable activities to inform the police beforehand to ensure proper crowd control and avoid similar disasters in the future.
“This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies,” Adeh said.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from their negligence.
“The FCT Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property in the Territory. Members of the public are encouraged to collaborate with the Police by adhering to these guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies through the FCT Control Room via 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234”.
