The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested the parish priest and officials of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja following a stampede that claimed at least 10 lives during the distribution of groceries to the needy.
The tragic event occurred on Saturday in the church’s car park, where a large crowd had gathered for the charity initiative. Reports indicate that over 3,000 people, including residents from nearby settlements like Mpape and Gishiri, converged on the premises, resulting in a chaotic surge that led to fatalities and injuries.
Police Investigation
The FCT Police Command confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, citing negligence by the organisers as the primary cause of the tragedy.
“How can you organise an event of that magnitude without notifying the police? Ten lives, including children, were lost, and many others were injured. Doesn’t this warrant arrest?” said Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Command spokesperson.
When asked about the involvement of the parish priest, Adeh stated, “I cannot confirm if a priest was arrested unless he was directly involved in organising the event.”
Church and Community Reaction
The arrest has sparked criticism from the Catholic community. Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Abuja Diocese condemned the action in a Christmas message, calling it “uninspiring, unfriendly, and lacking empathy.”
Kaigama urged authorities to focus on supporting the church and victims in recovering from the trauma rather than pursuing legal action. “One wonders what purpose these arrests were meant to serve,” he said.
Broader Implications
The Abuja stampede was one of three similar tragedies in recent days, with others reported in Anambra and Oyo states. Over 60 people, including children, lost their lives across these incidents.
President Bola Tinubu, during his first presidential media chat, attributed the tragedies to poor planning by event organisers. “This is a grave error on the part of the organisers,” he stated.
Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
Survivors of the Abuja incident recounted that the stampede began when some attendees refused to queue, leading to a crowd surge at one of the church’s gates around 4 a.m., hours before the distribution was scheduled to start.
A parish security official disclosed that the gathering far exceeded expectations, complicating crowd control measures.
According to Abdulrahman Mohammed, Acting Director of the FCT Emergency Management Department, all injured victims were treated and discharged from the hospital by Monday.
New Guidelines for Large Events
In response to the tragedies, the police have issued stricter guidelines for organisers of large gatherings, emphasizing the need for advance notification and robust crowd management plans to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The investigation into the Abuja stampede remains ongoing, as authorities work to determine the full scope of responsibility for the tragic loss of lives.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Police Arrest 228 Suspects In Enugu
Fan Gushes As MC Oluomo’s Daughter Gets Engaged
VIDEO; "Davido Gifted My Girlfriend ₦10 Million For Supporting Me" - Rapper, Odumodublvck
Mayor Of Boston Celebrates Nigerian Singer, Rema’s Role In Championing Afrobeat Worldwide
PHOTOS: Troops Arrest Four Suspected Terrorists, Recover Arms And Ammunition In Taraba