…“The Commissioner of Police extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.
KATSINA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of four people following a stampede at a Ramadan charity event in Kofar Guga Quarters of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Aliyu Abubakar, said in a statement on Sunday that the incident occurred on February 26, 2026.
He explained that at about 9 pm, police received a distress call reporting that a large crowd had assembled at the home of a philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, in Kofar Guga Quarters for an alms-giving exercise, resulting in a stampede.
According to the statement, officers were immediately deployed to the scene, and victims were evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment. “Four of the injured victims later died from their injuries,” it stated.
Abubakar added that several other persons sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical care.
The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, sympathised with the families of the deceased and wished the injured a quick recovery. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and directed that steps be taken to avert a similar occurrence.
“The Commissioner of Police extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. He has also directed further investigation and necessary measures to prevent future occurrences,” the statement said.
The command advised philanthropists and organisations planning public charity events to inform the police beforehand to allow for proper security arrangements.
It urged individuals intending to distribute alms to notify the command to ensure adequate security coverage, maintain order, and safeguard lives and property during such activities.
The police added that updates would be provided as investigations continue.
The incident has further heightened concerns about crowd management at charity events nationwide. In December 2024, at least 67 people reportedly died in separate stampedes in Oyo, Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory during food distribution drives and children’s funfair programmes, prompting renewed calls for better safety planning at large gatherings.
