Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution

Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution

No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead following a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan alms at Kofar-Guga quarters in Katsina State, the police have confirmed.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Abubakar. According to the police, the tragedy occurred on February 26, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., during the distribution of alms organised by a local philanthropist.

Police said a distress call was received at the Central Police Station, Katsina, reporting that a large and uncontrollable crowd had gathered at the philanthropist’s residence in Kofar-Guga quarters. The situation reportedly degenerated into a stampede as beneficiaries struggled to gain access to the venue.

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Upon receiving the alert, a team of police officers was immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and coordinate rescue efforts. Victims who sustained injuries during the stampede were rushed to the nearest hospitals for urgent medical attention.

“Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, while others are currently receiving treatment,” the police spokesperson said, adding that the number of injured persons could not be immediately ascertained.

The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Bello Shehu, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances that led to the stampede.

The police commissioner further directed that preventive measures be strengthened to avoid similar tragedies, especially during Ramadan when charitable activities attract large crowds. He urged individuals and organisations planning to distribute alms or organise public charity events to notify the police in advance to enable the provision of adequate security, crowd control, and traffic management.

The police warned that failure to coordinate with security agencies during such gatherings could expose members of the public to unnecessary risks, stressing that crowd safety remains a collective responsibility.

The incident has sparked concern among residents of Katsina, with community leaders calling for better organisation, improved crowd control mechanisms, and greater public awareness to prevent a recurrence of such tragic events during humanitarian and religious activities.

Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Alms Distribution