“A devastating blow”: Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria on Deadly Stampede at Food Distribution Initiative

In his statement, the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop extends his “heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and injured.”

“May God grant them the strength and comfort they need during this difficult time,” Archbishop Kaigama says, and urges members of Christian communities to find solace in faith and solidarity.

“Let us come together as a community to pray for the souls of the departed, for the healing of the injured, and for the consolation of all those affected by this tragedy,” he says, and invites the people of God to join him in “praying for the eternal repose of the souls of the faithful departed and the healing of the injured.”

In an interview with ACI Africa following the December 21 tragic stampede, the President of St. Vincent de Paul of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Barrister Joy Ohiagu, attributed the stampede to the level of hunger in the West African nation.

“There’s hunger in the land. More than 80% of people coming here are from Nasarawa, not even Abuja. Some of them slept over just to get food. It’s not just happening in Nigeria; this kind of desperation is everywhere,” Barrister Joy told ACI Africa.

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“A devastating blow”: Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria on Deadly Stampede at Food Distribution Initiative

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She emphasized that the Church had sufficient food to distribute and encouraged transparency in documenting the event. “Take pictures so people know there is more than enough. The desperation must have come from the psyche of the people and the hunger going on,” Barrister Joy said.

The Nigerian official of St. Vincent de Paul went on to fault Nigeria’s government for not doing enough to address the worsening hunger crisis.

“The government needs to do more. The Church is bearing most of the burden. We have an organized avenue for distributing aid, but the government should also step in to support us. This is not just about Christians – we have Muslims and people of all backgrounds here. It’s open to everyone,” she said.

The December 21 stampede, Barrister Joy continued, “is a stark reminder of the growing inequality and hunger plaguing the country. While the church and charitable organizations like St. Vincent de Paul continue to provide lifelines, the burden is becoming unsustainable without significant government intervention.”

Despite the tragedy, Barrister Joy reaffirmed St. Vincent de Paul’s commitment to serving the needy. She said, “We’ve been beaten, but we will not stop.”

She called on the government to collaborate with the Church, pointing out that faith-based institutions have the infrastructure and networks to effectively reach those in need.

“The government should use the Church as a channel to reach the people because we are already on the ground,” St. Vincent de Paul told ACI Africa.

On their part, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have extended their condolences to the Catholic Church and the families of the bereaved.

“This tragedy is not just about numbers; it is about real families who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the Catholic Church and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh of Christ Holy Church International, an African Independent Church, says.

Archbishop Okoh adds, “We must come together with kindness and work towards a future where every life is valued, and gatherings for support are free from tragedy.”

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“Let us honor the memories of those we have lost by building a nation that prioritizes safety and care for its citizens,” the Nigerian church leader says.

Abah Anthony John contributed to the writing of this story.

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