A devastating stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, resulting in the loss of at least 10 lives, including children. The tragedy unfolded during a palliative distribution event aimed at supporting struggling residents from nearby settlements.
Over 3,000 people had gathered at the church premises, with many arriving as early as 4:00 AM to secure their share of the aid. However, the situation quickly turned chaotic, and a stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, claiming the lives of innocent individuals.
An eyewitness described the scene as heartbreaking, noting that at least seven of the deceased were children. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and the premises have been cleared.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has confirmed the incident, and authorities have deployed a combined team of police, military, and DSS officers to restore order. Investigations are expected to determine how the situation spiralled out of control.