Katsina State is in mourning following a deadly stampede that claimed the lives of four people during the annual Ramadan alms distribution at the residence of a well-known philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki. The tragic incident occurred on February 26, 2026, around 9 pm in Kofar Guga Quarters, as hundreds of residents gathered to receive charitable donations.
According to the Katsina State Police Command, the event quickly descended into chaos as the crowd grew too large to control. Police Public Relations Officer Abubakar Aliyu said a distress call was sent to the Central Police Station after the sheer number of people overwhelmed the distribution area. “Upon receipt of the report, a team of officers was immediately dispatched to the scene. They tried to contain the crowd and rescue victims,” Aliyu explained.
Despite rapid intervention, four people who were injured during the stampede later died at nearby hospitals. Others sustained various injuries, though authorities did not provide exact numbers.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased. He urged caution for anyone planning public distributions, emphasizing the need for prior notification to the police to allow for proper crowd management and security arrangements. “We must ensure the safety of lives and property during charitable events,” Shehu said.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as people rushed forward to collect alms, which led to people being trampled in the crush. Many residents said they were caught off guard by the speed at which the crowd surged, highlighting the difficulties in managing mass gatherings even when the intentions are charitable.
Officials confirmed that the police are investigating the incident to determine whether there were lapses in planning or security. The command has advised organisers of future alms distributions to coordinate with authorities to prevent similar tragedies.
This incident underscores the risks associated with large-scale charity events, particularly during religious celebrations, and has sparked calls for better crowd control measures across Katsina State and other regions where similar distributions take place.
The stampede also brings attention to the need for awareness among residents about safety during large gatherings. Authorities have reassured the public that lessons from the tragedy will inform stricter guidelines for future events.
