‘I almost lost my 3-yr-old son in search of what to eat – Abuja stampede survivors recount ordeal

Amarachi Nwosu, a 32-year-old mother, still trembles as she recounts the chaos that unfolded at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, during a palliative distribution event. Clutching her three-year-old son, Obinna, she recalls the frantic scramble for food that nearly cost them their lives. “I just wanted to get food for my children,” she whispered. “The next thing, I felt people pushing me, and I lost my balance.”

For Amarachi, the event was supposed to be a lifeline. Struggling with the soaring cost of food, she arrived at the venue as early as 5 a.m., hoping for a week’s worth of sustenance. “Even a cup of rice is now a luxury for us,” she said, her voice breaking. But desperation in the crowd turned hope into horror as thousands jostled for space, ignoring pleas for calm from volunteers.

In the chaos, Amarachi fell, losing her grip on Obinna. “I thought I had lost him forever,” she sobbed, recalling how a kind stranger helped her to her feet and reunited her with her son. For her, the moment was both a blessing and a stark reminder of how dire the situation has become for many families in Nigeria.

Amarachi and her son were among the fortunate ones. Nearby, the tragedy claimed 10 lives, including four children, leaving a community in mourning. The stampede has reignited calls for better organization and stricter safety measures at public events, ensuring that future acts of charity do not end in heartbreak.