Abuja Stampede Horror: ‘The Crowd Was Too Much, We Were Swept Off Our Feet’ – Witnesses

ABUJA – The spirit of Christmas, marked by hope and goodwill, turned into a heartbreaking tragedy at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, over the weekend.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A charity event meant to spread joy ended in a catastrophic stampede, claiming the lives of at least 10 people, including four children, and leaving many others injured.

Residents of Mpape, Gishiri, and surrounding communities, who had gathered for relief, were instead met with unspeakable sorrow.

In light of the Abuja incident and similar tragedies in Ibadan and Okija, Anambra State, the federal government announced plans to issue guidelines for public events during the Yuletide season. It also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampedes.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives during the food-sharing event organized by the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Trinity Parish, Maitama.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the recurring tragedies, urging immediate action to address systemic issues contributing to such events.

Among the crowd was 45-year-old Ruth Idoko, a mother of three from Gishiri, a community grappling with poverty.

“A Human Flood”
“We woke up at 3 a.m., hoping to be among the first to get something for the children. But when the gates opened, it felt like a flood, and we were all swept away. I saw my husband fall, but I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t even protect my children,” Ruth recounted, her voice heavy with grief.

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest travel updates and guides.