The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has authorised public hospitals to provide free treatment to those injured during the stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
Wike issued the directive in Abuja on Saturday through a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka.
At least 10 people, including children were killed and 10 others were injured in the stampede that occurred as the church was distributing meals to the elderly and underprivileged on Saturday.
The tragic event happened at roughly 6:30 a.m.
“The FCT Administration would make sure the injured got proper medical care,” Wike said.
The minister, who expressed sympathy with the victims, also ordered that going forward, anyone or any organisation wishing to distribute food or money to the public must get police approval.
Wike prayed for the souls of the deceased and fortitude for their families to cope with the irreversible loss, describing the situation as painful.
Read also: Man arraigned for allegedly killing wife in Ebonyi
“It was commendable how quickly security agencies responded to the incident,” he said, praising the police and other security agencies for their timely intervention.
Meanwhile, the police has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.
Adejobi explained that the warning is coming in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distribution.
