There was confusion in Abuja on Saturday, December 21, when at least 10 people were reported dead following a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama.
Reports said that several other were injured as many residents were at the location to receive some palliatives distributed by the church.
Sources said the incident occurred between 6,30 am and 8am taking the life of children and adults inclusive
Confirming the incident, the FCT police command, Josephine Adeh sympathised with families of those lost in the stampede.
Adeh also wished those who were injured during the incident a quick recovery.
She, however, stated that to prevent such incident from recurring, the command has directed that all organisations, groups or individuals planning any public event or charitable activity must notify the FCT Police command.
Adeh said, “This will allow the deployment of adequate security measures to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.
Failure to comply with this directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident of loss of life resulting from their negligence,” Adeh said.
She added that the FCT command remains committed to security the lives and property within the territory as members of the public are obliged to adhere to the police directive.
This incident at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja comes barely three days after there was a stampede at a children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Thirty-five children were said to have died in the Ibadan incident while several other were wounded.
The Abuja palliative distribution were said to have been organised as an avenue to bring relief to resident from Mpape, Gishiri village among other resettlement in the FCT.