On Saturday, at least 13 people, including four children, were killed in two stampedes in Nigeria as crowds gathered for food and clothing at Christmas events.
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Ten people lost their lives in a stampede during the early morning hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an affluent district of Abuja, according to police spokesperson Josephine Adeh. In a statement via the New York Post, Adeh also confirmed that over 1,000 individuals were safely evacuated from the church.
A crowd surge occurred at one of the church gates around 4 a.m. Dozens of people attempted to enter the premises hours before the distribution of gift items was scheduled to begin. Witnesses reported that some people had been waiting since the previous night.
An Eyewitness Recounts One of the Stampedes at Christmas Events in Nigeria
“The way they were rushing to enter, some people were falling. Some of them were old,” eyewitness Loveth Inyang recalled, per The Post.
Inyang also shared how he saved a baby while the mother struggled against the strong current.
According to state police, three people lost their lives in a similar crowd surge during a charity event in Okija, a town in southeastern Anambra state. The event was organized by a local philanthropist.
“The event had not even started when the rush began,” police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga explained.
As the investigation unfolds, more fatalities may be confirmed, he added.
Footage purportedly from the scene in Abuja captured a harrowing sight. It showed lifeless bodies strewn across the ground as desperate cries for help filled the air.
Abuja Stampede: 10 persons including four children dead – Police
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) December 21, 2024
The FCT Police Command has said no fewer than ten persons including four children lost their lives in stampede around Maitama, Abuja while struggling to grab Christmas palliative.
The Spokesperson of the command,… pic.twitter.com/KRvR4D9sBT
Some of the injured have been treated and released, while others remain under medical care, according to police. The church canceled the charity event, leaving bags of rice and clothing items still neatly arranged within the premises.
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He also urged state governments and relevant authorities to implement stricter crowd control measures.
Recent stampedes in Nigeria have raised serious questions about the safety measures in place at large events.
Today in Nigeria history records the stampede in Ibadan Nigeria that k!lled over 35 children hustling to for Christmas rice and $3. The hunger in Nigeria under Tinubu presidency has become fatal literally: pic.twitter.com/afRE0vfhEF
— Today in Nigeria History (@NaijaHistory_) December 19, 2024
Per The Post, tragedy struck in southwestern Oyo State last Wednesday when a well-attended funfair, organized by a local foundation to distribute food and gifts to children, ended in the deaths of several young attendees.
Following the recent disaster, Abuja police announced that organizers must get permission in advance before holding charity events.