Tragedy struck in the Maitama area of Abuja on Saturday morning as a stampede claimed the lives of several alms seekers during a palliative distribution event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
The event, organized to distribute rice and other relief materials, turned fatal as a large crowd gathered to receive aid. Eyewitnesses reported that most of the victims were women and children who had been eagerly waiting for the distribution to commence.
Security personnel were observed at the scene, but their efforts were not enough to manage the surging crowd.
The church, known for its annual charity efforts, had intended the event as an outreach to support the less privileged in the community. However, the overwhelming turnout and chaotic scramble for items led to the unfortunate incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, but emergency responders have been alerted, and investigations into the cause of the stampede are underway.
Details later…
