Four killed in Ramadan alms stampede in Katsina

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.

The Nigeria Police Force in Katsina State described the incident as tragic and regrettable, disclosing that several others sustained injuries in the chaos.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aliyu Abubakar, said the incident occurred on February 26, 2026, at about 9 p.m., after a distress call was received at the Central Police Station regarding an unusually large crowd gathered at the residence of a philanthropist in the Kofar-Guga area.

According to the statement, the massive turnout led to a stampede as residents scrambled to receive Ramadan alms. Police officers were immediately deployed to the scene upon receiving the report, while victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

“Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries,” the statement confirmed.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bello Shehu, extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He also directed a thorough investigation into the incident and ordered proactive measures to prevent a recurrence.

The command urged individuals and organisations planning to distribute alms to always notify security agencies in advance to ensure adequate crowd control and safety arrangements.

Authorities stressed the importance of proper coordination and security presence during public charity events to prevent similar tragedies in the future.