Stampedes at Palliative Distribution in Abuja and Anambra Claim Multiple Lives, Including Children

A stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, this morning, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others injured.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to reporters that seven were children. The incident occurred as over 3,000 residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and surrounding settlements scrambled to collect palliatives distributed by the church.

The chaos began between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM after many attendees, some arriving as early as 4:00 AM, surged forward to receive their shares of the relief materials.

Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, confirmed the incident but noted that details were still emerging.

Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate. The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing, an eyewitness said.

A combined team of police, military, and DSS officers was later deployed to the church premises to restore order and disperse the crowd.

In a related incident, a stampede occurred during rice distribution in Okija Community, Anambra State, which also turned fatal. Videos circulating on social media show some residents lying dead, with reports of several others injured.

Recall at least 32 children died and many others injured in a stampede during a children’s carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday.

The event was meant to distribute free food and N5,000 cash to 5,000 participants but ended in chaos due to overcrowding and poor planning.

The recurring stampede reveals the severity of hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria as thousands of families search for palliatives.

The large turnout, which exceeds the organisers’ expectations, reflects the widespread poverty and the challenges many Nigerians face in meeting their basic needs.

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