Katsina Ramadan alms distribution stampede
At least four persons have lost their lives after a tragic stampede occurred during the distribution of Ramadan alms in Katsina State, northern Nigeria. The incident happened at Kofar Guga Quarters in Katsina metropolis, where a large crowd gathered to receive charity items from a philanthropist as part of annual Ramadan assistance.
According to the Katsina State Police Command, the tragedy occurred at about 9:00 p.m. when the crowd became uncontrollable during the distribution exercise at the residence of philanthropist Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki. Police spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed that a distress call was received at the Central Police Station, prompting immediate deployment of officers to restore order and rescue victims. Injured persons were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, but four victims later died from injuries sustained during the stampede.
Authorities also confirmed that several other beneficiaries sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bello Shehu, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar occurrences in future charity gatherings.
The police have advised individuals and organisations planning public charity distributions, especially during the Ramadan period, to notify security agencies ahead of time to allow proper crowd control and ensure the safety of participants. The incident has once again raised concerns about crowd management during large humanitarian events across the country.
About the Author
