Nigerian Catholic leaders express shock, sorrow over deaths at food distribution events

NAIROBI, Kenya (OSV News) -- Leaders of the Catholic Church in Nigeria expressed deep sorrow at the death of several people at one of the church's Christmas charity events, as separate December food distribution events left 67 people dead.

Ten people were killed Dec. 21 in a tragic weekend stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upscale part of Nigerian capital, Abuja. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the church.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society, an international Catholic charity organization, organized the event. Eight people were injured.

"It is with profound shock and sadness that I ... mourn the tragic loss of lives and those injured at the St. Vincent de Paul Society's food-sharing event," Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja said in a statement Dec. 21, calling the tragedy "a devastating blow to our community."

According to reports, large crowds had gathered early in the morning at the gates of the church, where they had hoped to receive free donations of food stuffs, including rice and vegetable oil, as well as some clothes. The event was later canceled.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and injured," said the archbishop, as he called for prayers for the souls of the departed, healing of the injured and consolation of the affected.

On the same day, the police said another 22 people were killed at an event in the southern town of Okija, where a philanthropist had organized a similar food distribution event. The event was called to give bags of rice and some cooking oil to poor women in the town. Most of the victims were women, children and the elderly.

On Dec. 18, another stampede at a Christmas fair at a school in Ibadan left at least 35 children dead and another six critically injured. The event was organized to distribute food and cash to over 5,000 children.

As he expressed condolences to the Catholic Church after the Dec. 21 stampede at Holy Trinity, Archbishop Daniel Okoh of Christ Holy Church International, who is president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said three stampedes represented a troubling pattern in the West African nation.

It's "not just statistics" but real grieving families, he said in a statement that called for compassion, solidarity and support to those affected.

"We can honor the memory of those we have lost by committing to a hopeful future, where every life is cherished and where we can gather safely and peacefully, sharing the resources that our nation can provide for one another," he said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said resemblance of the three incidents was disturbing, as he urged local and state authorities to ensure that there were no operational lapses in charitable and humanitarian activities.

"In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them," the president said.

Food charity distributions in Nigeria -- whose population is over 230 million, making it Africa's most populous nation -- are common around the Christmas season, with churches, organizations and individuals planning events to give food, cash and other items as part of economic relief. Most of these events are attended by women, children and the elderly.

The latest tragedies have underlined how economic hardships have worsened the living conditions and left most of the ordinary Nigerians desperate.

Although he was elected last year at a time when global inflation was biting, President Tinubu has implemented economic reforms that have tripled the cost of fuel, adjusted exchange rate and prices of commodities, further heightening the cost of living. Like many African countries, inflation has hit the roof, making most basic needs unaffordable for most ordinary citizens.

In August, youth protests over the rising cost of living left dozens dead, but following the stampede, the human rights group Amnesty International Nigeria warned that no one should lose their lives trying to get food.

"There must be justice for the victims of these horrific yet preventable incidents which cost so many people their lives. Victims and their families must be provided with access to justice and effective remedies," said the organization in a Dec. 21 post on X (formerly Twitter).

The organization called on the government to urgently tackle the widespread hunger, higher unemployment and deteriorating standards of living.