An unspecified number of persons have died following a stampede that occurred at dawn on Saturday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja.
The FCT Police Command spokesman, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident which happened during a Church programme to distribute food items and other palliatives to the vulnerable.
Scores were also injured during the incident that followed the pattern of a stampede that happened in Ibadan on Wednesday, leading to the death of 35 children.
In a statement Saturday the FCT Police Command confirmed the incident and urged strict adherence to event notification.
The statement reads:
“The FCT Police Command deeply regrets to confirm the unfortunate incident that occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, on Saturday, 21st December 2024, during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly persons.
“This tragic event, which happened at about 6:30 am, led to a stampede that claimed the lives of ten individuals, including four children, and left eight others with varying degrees of injuries. Four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are receiving medical care.
“The FCT Police Command sympathises with the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.
“To prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, the Command hereby directs that all organizations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning any public event, charitable activity, or large gathering in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance. This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.
“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″.
