The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was thrown into mourning on Saturday after a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claimed 10 lives, including four children.
The tragic incident occurred during the church’s annual food outreach programme, where food and other palliatives were distributed to needy residents.
A total of 10 people were injured in the chaos, but nine have now been discharged from the Maitama District Hospital.
The FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has ordered free medical treatment for all those affected.
In a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Wike expressed his condolences to the victims’ families.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate tragedy,” Wike said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones, and we will ensure the injured receive the best possible care.”
Calls for Better Crowd Control
The Minister directed all government hospitals in the FCT to provide free treatment to the injured.
Wike also emphasised the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
“Moving forward, police approval will be required before any public palliative distribution can take place in the FCT,” he announced.
The Acting Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, echoed this call for better organisation of similar events.
“We strongly urge organisations to adopt methods like issuing coupons or dividing recipients into groups,” Mohammed said.
He noted that these measures would help to prevent overcrowding and ensure a more orderly distribution process.
Security Agencies Praised
Wike commended the swift response of security agencies at the scene of the stampede.
“Their timely intervention prevented what could have been an even worse disaster,” he said.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to manage the chaotic situation and transport the injured to the hospital.
Residents in the FCT have also been advised to use the 112 toll-free emergency line for immediate assistance during any disaster.
Pain and Loss
For many families, the pain of losing loved ones in such tragic circumstances remains fresh.
Witnesses at the scene described the chaotic moments when the crowd surged forward, leading to the deadly stampede.
“It was supposed to be a day of blessings, but it turned into a nightmare,” said one church member, who declined to give her name.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of panic as people screamed and tried to escape the crush.
“The children were the most vulnerable,” another witness said tearfully.
The Way Forward
The Holy Trinity Catholic Church has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
However, sources within the church say plans are being made to review their crowd management strategies.
Engr. Mohammed stressed the importance of planning for large gatherings.
“This should serve as a lesson to all organisations conducting outreach programmes,” he said.
Proper coordination with security agencies and emergency responders is key to avoiding such tragedies, he added.
A Community in Mourning
As the FCT continues to mourn the loss of 10 innocent lives, the incident has sparked wider conversations about public safety during charitable events.
Community leaders are urging everyone to remain vigilant and prioritise safety in all public activities.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians are calling for swift implementation of the Minister’s new guidelines.
“We cannot afford to lose more lives due to negligence,” one resident said.
The tragedy at Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a stark reminder of the need for proper planning and crowd control measures at all public events.
The FCT government has pledged to do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster.
