During a tragic stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, over the weekend, a Christmas charity event turned into a catastrophe resulting in the death of an alleged ten persons, including four children, and wounding many.
It may be recalled that previous incidents in Ibadan and Okija in Anambra State have compelled the federal government to issue an advisory on public events during the festive season – condoling families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic stampedes that occurred during food distribution in Ibadan, Abuja and Okija in Anambra State.
This came as the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja expressed profound sorrow over the death of more than 10 people and injuries to several others during a food-sharing event organized by the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Trinity Parish, Maitama, Abuja.
This is even as the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, condemned the deadly stampedes, calling attention to the urgent systemic issues that contributed to the recurring tragedies.
Several eye witness accounts of the Abuja stampede details harrowing experiences of individuals who were trying to access items of charity for themselves and families to make the season Yuletide season a little less gloomy in the face of harsh economic clime and crushing poverty levels.
According to reports one witness who is a mother of three children, who had made trekked for miles to the Christmas giveaway said, “when the gates opened to the event, it was like a flood, and we were all swept away. I saw my husband fall, and I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t even protect my children,”.
As the many who attended the charity program from the farthest reaches of other local communities in Abuja another survivor said, “We had no choice. The little we have is barely enough for the family. I thought we’d get something for the kids this Christmas. Instead, we lost everything,”
As the gates opened to allow entry, the crowd surged uncontrollably, with people desperate to reach the food being offered. The church, which had organized the charity event to help the poor, became the site of a nightmare.
Eyewitnesses recalled the horrifying scenes of people being trampled, crushed against the gates, and unable to escape the deadly crush. Many of the victims were simply trying to secure a meal to feed their families during the holiday season.
A survivor also recounted that “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. People were falling all over, screaming for help. I thought I’d never get out alive,” she said.
The incident has left many in shock, especially those from nearby communities like Mpape and Gishiri, where such charity events are a lifeline for families living in poverty. For them, this tragedy is a bitter reminder of how quickly hope can turn into despair.
The tragedy at Holy Trinity Catholic Church is more than just a story of a stampede; it’s a reflection of the difficult realities faced by many Nigerians living in areas like Mpape, Gishiri, and surrounding settlements.
These communities, often neglected in terms of public services and support, have come to rely on charity events to provide for their basic needs. But in their desperation, this once-hopeful event turned into a disaster that no one could have foreseen.
