Osamagbe Imadiyi
Over the weekend, a devastating stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, destroyed the promise of hope and goodwill that comes with Christmas. At least ten people, including four children, lost their lives in what was supposed to be a Christmas charity event, and numerous others were injured. For the people who lived in Mpape, Gishiri, and the surrounding settlements, the event that was meant to bring relief ended in unspeakable sorrow.
The events that transpired in Anambra State yesterday in Abuja, Ibadan, and Okija compelled it. An advisory regarding public events during the Yuletide season will be released by the federal government. Additionally, it offered condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the terrible stampedes that took place during food distribution in Anambra State’s Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija.
This occurred at Holy Trinity Parish, Maitama, Abuja, where the St. Vincent de Paul Society hosted a food-sharing event that resulted in the deaths of over ten people and the injuries of numerous others, prompting the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja to express its deep sorrow.
One person in the crowd was Ruth Idoko, a 45-year-old mother of three who had traveled early from Gishiri, a nearby community notorious for its poverty. “We woke up at 3 a.m., hoping to be among the first to get something for the children. However, we were all carried away when the gates opened like a flood. My husband fell, I was unable to assist him and couldn’t even protect my children”. Ruth explained, her voice broken with sorrow.
