Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people who sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 persons including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries in the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church.
The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.
The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.
Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.
He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “The promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”
NAN
