The Katsina State Police Command has launched an investigation following the death of four people in a stampede during a Ramadan alms-giving exercise in Kofar Guga Quarters.
According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Abubakar, the incident occurred on February 26, 2026, when a large crowd gathered at the residence of philanthropist Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki. Police received a distress call around 9 pm reporting the chaos. Responding officers rushed the victims to the nearest hospital, but four succumbed to their injuries, while several others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment.
The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and directed measures to prevent future occurrences.
The police command urged philanthropists and organisations planning public distribution events to notify authorities in advance to ensure adequate security arrangements. “The Command calls on individuals who wish to distribute alms to members of the public to notify the Command for adequate security coverage to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as orderliness during such events, to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Abubakar stated.
The tragedy raises renewed concerns over crowd control during charity events across the country. In December 2024, at least 67 people reportedly died in separate stampedes in Oyo State, Anambra State, and the Federal Capital Territory during food distributions and children’s funfair events. These incidents have sparked calls for improved safety planning and more effective crowd management at large public gatherings.
Further updates will be provided as the Katsina State Police investigation progresses.
