Abuja Stampede: Nine victims discharged as Minister orders free treatment

Nine victims of the stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, have been discharged from Maitama District Hospital following Saturday’s tragic incident.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, ordered free medical treatment for all those injured during the church’s annual food outreach program. The stampede resulted in 10 fatalities, including four children, and left 10 others injured.

A statement by Lere Olayinka, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, disclosed that government hospitals have been instructed to provide free treatment to the victims. Wike also directed that police approval must be obtained for future public palliative distributions to prevent similar tragedies.

Expressing condolences, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls lost and pledged that the government would ensure proper care for the injured. He praised the swift response of security agencies, which he said helped manage the situation effectively.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, also extended his condolences to the church and the victims’ families. He confirmed that nine of the injured had been discharged, while urging organizations conducting similar activities to involve security agencies and use organized distribution methods, such as coupons and group divisions, to avoid overcrowding.

Engr. Mohammed further encouraged residents to utilize the 112 toll-free emergency line for prompt assistance in case of disasters.