Palliative stampede: Police arrest Abuja Catholic priest, church officials

Police authorities in Abuja have arrested the parish priest and officials of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church over their roles in a stampede at the church last week.

NewsBand reported that on Saturday, December 21, 2024, a stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, during the distribution of food items to the vulnerable and elderly individuals.

The incident led to the death of 10 individuals, leaving many others injured

Meanwhile, the arrest was first confirmed by a Catholic priest on Wednesday before the police confirmed the arrest to PREMIUM TIMES.

In a Christmas message titled “Christmas: A Season of Hope and Renewal,” the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, announced and condemned the arrest of the church officials, saying it is counterproductive and lacking empathy.

“It is, to say the least, uninspiring, unfriendly, and a misplaced zeal. One wonders what purpose these arrests were meant to serve,” Mr Kaigama said.

He urged authorities to assist the church and organisers in recovering from the trauma rather than threatening prosecution.

While speaking to the paper on Wednesday, the FCT Police Command image maker, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrests, citing negligence by the organisers.

“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?” she said.

When pressed on whether the priest was among those detained, Ms Adeh said, “I cannot confirm if a priest was arrested, except if he was directly involved in the event’s organisation.”

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