A stampede during a food distribution event a Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning has left 10 people dead including four children and eight others injured.
The tragic incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. as vulnerable and elderly individuals gathered to receive food items. Four of the injured have since been treated and discharged while others remain hospitalised.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, wishing the injured a quick recovery.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, emphasised the importance of notifying the police ahead of public events to ensure proper crowd management and prevent similar tragedies.
“This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies,” Adeh said.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organizers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from their negligence.
“The FCT Police Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property in the Territory. Members of the public are encouraged to collaborate with the Police by adhering to these guidelines and promptly reporting emergencies through the FCT Control Room via 0803 200 3913 or 0806 032 1234
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