Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja has lamented the tragic loss of lives during a food distribution event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, calling it a needless loss driven by hunger and economic hardship. Speaking during a Sunday Mass, the Archbishop decried the deaths of at least 10 people in a stampede on December 21, 2024, during an event organized by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an international Catholic charity.
The stampede, which occurred as thousands of people scrambled for food, reflects the broader crisis in Nigeria, where hunger and economic hardship have reached alarming levels. Archbishop Kaigama highlighted that over 5,000 individuals turned up at the event due to the severe economic difficulties facing families across the nation.
“It was not negligence that brought them to the Church,” he said. “It was hunger. And their hunger is not the fault of the Catholic Church. If you are looking for a culprit, please cast your eyes elsewhere.”
The Archbishop refuted accusations of negligence against the Church, stressing that the overwhelming turnout was driven by the desperation of those struggling to survive. He acknowledged the tragedy, saying, “The large crowd outside the church premises created pressure and panic, leading to a struggle as individuals scrambled to gain entry through the gate, resulting in fatalities and injuries.”
He further described the incident as a shameful reflection of the state of the nation, adding, “Is it not shameful that history will record people died here merely struggling for what to eat? Despite Nigeria’s immense human and natural resources, this tragedy raises questions about our priorities and governance.”
The United Nations has projected that over 33 million Nigerians will face food insecurity by 2025, citing record inflation, climate shocks, and conflicts as contributing factors. Representative Gboyega Isiaka, speaking in the House of Representatives, noted that insecurity has severely disrupted agricultural activities, leading to food shortages.
“Farmers face threats not only from armed groups but also from clashes with herders over land and resources. This ongoing violence has resulted in the abandonment of farmlands, displacement of farming communities, and destruction of vital infrastructure,” Isiaka said.
Archbishop Kaigama reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to serving the poor and vulnerable, citing its over 100,000 charitable and healthcare centers across the country. “The Catholic Church cares for the poor,” he said. “While we mourn the loss of lives, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve the millions in need across Nigeria.”
He also emphasized the importance of learning from the tragedy to prevent future occurrences. “We have done this for many years without any incident of this nature. However, that it has happened means we must take proactive measures to ensure it does not happen again.”
The Archbishop called on the nation to reflect on the systemic issues that have led to such tragedies and urged all stakeholders to work toward addressing hunger and poverty in Nigeria. “No one should die a needless death simply struggling for what to eat,” he concluded.
