Breaking: Children, Others Die at Abuja Stampede, Details Emerge
- Abuja residents woke up to a fresh tragedy as seven children and three adults allegedly died in a stampede while struggling for palliative
- The Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, commenced the sharing of palliative to the people nearby, but the turnout was higher than unexpected
- Eyewitnesses described the event as tragic and chaotic, adding that people started arriving at the venue as early as 4 am
A devastating stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, December 21, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people, including children.
The tragedy unfolded as thousands of residents gathered to receive palliatives distributed by the church. Over 3,000 people, mostly from nearby settlements, attended the event, which was intended to provide relief to struggling residents.
Eyewitnesses speak on Abuja stampede
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and tragic, with many attendees arriving as early as 4:00 am to secure their share of the palliatives. The stampede occurred between 7:00 am and 8:00 am when the crowd surged forward. At least seven of the deceased were children, according to eyewitnesses.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the tragic development and announced the suspension of the palliative distribution. A combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was deployed to restore order and disperse the crowd.
This tragedy bears a striking resemblance to a similar incident that occurred just days earlier in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children's funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured. The recurring theme of stampedes at events intended to provide aid or entertainment raises concerns about crowd control and safety measures.
Ibadan stampede: Video of scene after incident
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Oyo state and Nigerians at large are still feeling sober about the stampede that occurred at the state capital, with at least 32 children's deaths recorded.
A video of the scene after the incident emerged, showing the road leading to the venue littered with children's shoes, caps, and clothes.
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Source: Legit.ng