Police arrest Catholic priest, others over Abuja stampede
Following an ugly stampede at the nation’s capital, the operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested the parish priest and officials of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja
It would be recalled that no fewer than 10 people lost their lives during the distribution of groceries to poor people at the Abuja church’s car park on Saturday.
A Catholic priest first confirmed the arrest 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.
Confirming the arrest, the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, cited negligence by the organisers.
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“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.”
The Informant247 had reported that a stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, left 35 children dead, and many others were critically injured.
Meanwhile, 10 persons also lost their lives during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, where food items were being distributed to the vulnerable and elderly. Several others sustained injuries.
Similarly, a palliative distribution event organised by philanthropist Obi Jackson in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, ended in chaos, leaving three individuals dead and many others injured.
Source: Premium Times
