BREAKING: Many feared dead in Abuja stampede

At least 10 people have reportedly died, with many more injured in a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday morning.

Recall that only a few days ago, a similar incident had occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, where a stampede at a children’s funfair resulted in the deaths of at least 35 children and left six others critically injured.

PUNCH Online gathered that the Saturday incident occurred when residents scrambled to receive palliatives distributed by the church.

The event, organised to provide relief to struggling residents, reportedly drew residents mostly from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and other nearby settlements.

As of the time of filing this report, our correspondent has not been able to reach the spokesperson for the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, for further details.

However, eyewitnesses claim the incident occurred between 7 am and 8 am on Saturday when the crowd surged forward to receive the palliatives.

More details later…