A tragic incident unfolded during a palliative distribution event organized by a Catholic Church in Abuja, leaving 10 people, including children, dead.
AFRIPOST gathered that the event, aimed at aiding struggling residents, drew over 3,000 attendees from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby areas.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, confirmed the incident but noted that details remain unclear.
An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, sharing that the stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM when the crowd surged. “It’s heartbreaking.
At least seven children are among the victims. People started arriving as early as 4:00 AM, hoping to secure some relief,” the eyewitness, a mother of five, explained.
The situation prompted authorities, including police, military, and DSS officers, to intervene and restore order.
Distribution activities were suspended indefinitely, and the crowd was gradually dispersed.
This tragedy comes shortly after a similar fatal stampede in Anambra this Saturday morning and in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives during a funfair event at the Islamic High School.
Over 5,000 attendees had rushed to receive food and gifts, leading to the devastating incident.
The Abuja church premises, once packed with hopeful beneficiaries, now stand empty as the community mourns the loss of innocent lives.