The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested the parish priest and officials of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja following a fatal stampede that claimed at least 10 lives, as reported by Premium Times.
The incident occurred on Saturday during a grocery distribution event at the church’s car park, organized to assist the less privileged.
The tragic event left multiple casualties and injuries as hundreds of people reportedly surged forward in a bid to receive the items.
The police, confirming the arrests on Wednesday, said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the Abuja stampede as well as similar tragedies in Anambra and Oyo States.
These incidents have collectively claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks.
A senior Catholic priest initially disclosed the arrest, which was later corroborated by the police in a statement to Premium Times.
The statement revealed that the priest and church officials are being questioned about the planning and management of the event.
“The investigation aims to uncover lapses or negligence that may have contributed to the unfortunate loss of lives,” a police spokesperson said.
“We are also reviewing the measures put in place to ensure safety during such large gatherings.”
Witnesses of the stampede described the chaos and desperation that unfolded, attributing the tragic outcome to poor crowd control and inadequate preparation for the large turnout.
The Catholic Church is yet to issue an official statement, but sources within the church have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged cooperation with the investigation.
This latest stampede has raised concerns about the safety and management of charity distributions in Nigeria, particularly during economic hardships that drive massive crowds to such events.
Authorities are urging organizations to collaborate with security agencies to prevent future tragedies.
From Opera News
Sanisalma
