December 21, (THEWILL) – Less than a week after 35 people, mostly children, died in a stampede that occurred at a carnival in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday, another incident at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning, has recorded at least 10 deaths and several injuries.
The National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, said the latest incident occurred as thousands of residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church on Saturday morning.
THEWILL gathered that over 3,000 residents arrived the church as early as 4:00 A.M. “10 people have been reported dead, including children. We just received a call that they have passed on. Over 3,000 people came out to receive the palliative. It’s unfortunate. Some of them arrived as early as 4:00 AM. Most of those present were residents of Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements. “The stampede occurred between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
The distribution of palliatives has been suspended indefinitely, and people are dispersing. May God receive the souls of the departed and protect us from harm”, an eyewitness said. Meanwhile, a combined team of security operatives have been deployed to restore order at church premises.
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