A stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday, December 21, 2024, resulting in the loss of ten lives. The incident happened during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals, which began at around 6:30 am.
The victims included four children, and eight others were left with varying degrees of injuries. Fortunately, four of the injured have been treated and discharged, while the remaining victims are receiving medical care.
The FCT Police Command has confirmed the incident and expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased. SP Josephine Adeh, the Command’s spokesperson, stated, “The FCT Police Command sympathizes with the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”
To prevent such incidents in the future, the Command has directed that all organizations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the FCT must notify the Police Command in advance. This will enable the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.
Adeh emphasized, “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.”
The Police Command encourages members of the public to collaborate with them by adhering to these guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies through the FCT Control Room via 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234.
