Nigeria: At least 10 killed in church crash
22/12/2024
At least 10 people died in a stampede during the distribution of aid supplies at a church in Maitama district, Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday. - Decorative photo
ABUJA: At least 10 people, including children, died in a stampede during the distribution of aid supplies at a local church in Nigeria's Maitama district, Abuja, Nigeria's capital, on Saturday, according to local authorities, Xinhua reported.
A church official said a number of people were also injured when the distribution of relief items, including food and clothing ahead of Christmas celebrations, turned chaotic on Saturday morning at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.
Nigerian Catholic Secretariat spokesman Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh said the event attracted more than 3,000 people from nearby villages and low-income areas. According to him, following the "tragic incident", the distribution of aid was stopped.
Meanwhile, security forces including secret police and military personnel were deployed to control the situation, disperse the crowd, and ensure the area was safe.
So far, neither the government nor the security agencies have given any statement regarding the tragedy.
