print

One Nigerian Catholic Diocese has Pledged to Implement Safety Measures following a Deadly Stampede on Christ the King’s Solemnity. Bishop Augustine Ndubueze Echema of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Aba has assured the people of God in his Episcopal See that measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the deadly stampede that marred this year’s Solemnity of Christ the King.

According to a Tuesday, November 26 Agenzia Fides report, two elderly women lost their lives in the stampede that happened during the annual Christ the King procession at the Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) of Aba Diocese.

According to Agenzia Fides, “Security forces had blocked the entrance to the church, causing the stampede, which caused several people to fall to the ground. An investigation into the tragic incident has now been launched.”

In a statement shared with ACI Africa on Monday, November 25, Bishop Echema said, “It is with deep regret and sadness that the annual joyful celebration of our Diocesan Feast Day which occurs every 34th Sunday of the Church year, ended on 24 November 2024, most tragically.”

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop added, “Some of our devout and gallant Catholics, who trooped out as usual to join the annual Eucharistic Procession in a joyful mood, met their death as a result of overcrowding during the procession.”

“May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen,” Bishop Echema said.

The Bishop expressed his solidarity with the deceased families and relatives of those who had been injured in the incident and were recuperating in hospital. “We earnestly pray for their quick recovery,” Bishop Echema said.

He added, “However, we pledge to support the affected families and individuals in this time of emergency and tragic event. Moreover, we wish to affirm that such an incident will not happen again. We shall do everything possible in the future to forestall such a tragedy; the first of its kind in the annals of Christ the King Procession in Aba.”

“I, therefore, appeal to our dynamic and gallant Catholics not to be discouraged and dampened in spirit. I reaffirm, while assuring you, that it will not happen again,” the Catholic Church leader says.

The bishop noted that investigations were underway to ascertain the cause of the incident which he described as “awful”.

Later, the Bishop said that it was caused by overcrowding, but added that investigations were still ongoing to determine the actors that led to the overcrowding, as well as identify the victims.

Some members from some urban parishes in Aba who participated in the Ecclesiastical procession said that the victims who died from the incident were first rushed to a hospital for revival but were later confirmed dead by doctors.

One of the members, Ugo Chimaobi suggested that efforts should be made to ensure crowd control slow pace of movement, and protection of children, in future celebrations.

Also, a medical doctor, Chikwe Abraham condoled the families of the victims but advised that anyone with an established blood pressure case should be careful when participating in physical activities.

DAILY POST recalls that in March 2024, a fast-moving Lexus SUV crashed into 21 members of the United Evangelical Church, Abayi International Aba, who were celebrating International Women’s Day along Aba-Owerri Road, fatally injuring many of them.

The presidential council of RECOWA-CERAO, the umbrella body of all the Catholic Bishops in West Africa, under the presidency of Bishop Alexi Touabli Youlo has sent her message of condolence to the affected diocese member of this body. In a message signed by the Secretary general of RECOWA-CERAO, Fr. Vitalis Anaehobi, the Episcopal Conference of all the bishops in West African prayed to God to console the Bishop of the Diocese and the faithful of the Diocese. Fr. Vitalis therefore prayed for the happy repose of our departed faithful and consolation for their respective families.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
Latest posts by Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu (see all)