Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has mandated government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, on Saturday in Abuja.
Correspondence recalls that at least 10 people, including children died, while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede on Saturday during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by a Catholic church in the Maitama Area of Abuja.
According to Wike, the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.
He sympathized with the victims and directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.
While describing the incident as painful, the Minister prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.
He applauded the police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention.
“The promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable,” he said.