CAN Decries Rising Tragedy of Stampedes, Mourns 67 Lives Lost in Food Distribution Chaos
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep concern over a “troubling pattern” of food queue stampedes that have claimed at least 67 lives within four days.
In a statement on Sunday, CAN President Daniel Okoh extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of victims affected by the palliative distribution stampedes in Abuja, Anambra, and Oyo states. The association expressed sorrow over the tragic event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, where at least 10 people, including children, lost their lives on Saturday morning while seeking assistance from the church.
“This tragedy is not just a statistic; it represents real families who are grieving. Each life lost was someone’s cherished family member. We extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and to the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand in solidarity with you during this time of mourning and prayer,” CAN said.
Highlighting a distressing trend, CAN noted that this tragedy was one of three recent stampedes in Nigeria. On December 18, a stampede at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, left 35 children dead and six critically injured. The event, which aimed to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children, is currently under investigation to identify ways to improve crowd management and safety.
A few days later, another stampede occurred during a rice distribution event in Anambra State, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people and injuries to 32 others. These incidents, CAN said, underscore the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events.
“In the face of these tragedies, it is imperative that we come together to support those who are grieving,” the statement continued. “We must listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer assistance in any way possible. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we work to help one another heal.”
CAN reiterated the need for improved safety measures and crowd control at charitable events to prevent further loss of life.
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