Four Die in Katsina Stampede During Ramadan Charity Event

Four individuals have tragically lost their lives following a surge that occurred during the distribution of Ramadan alms in the Kofar Guga Quarters area of Katsina metropolis. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation by the police.

The unfortunate event took place on Friday around 9:00 p.m. at the residence of a local philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, where a large number of people had congregated to receive annual charity items. The situation quickly escalated, leading to the fatal stampede.

Confirming the incident, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, stated that the police received a distress call concerning a crowd that had become unmanageable, resulting in the stampede. Responding swiftly, police operatives were dispatched to the scene to restore order and assist those affected.

According to DSP Aliyu, injured individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention. Sadly, four of them succumbed to their injuries sustained during the chaos.

"On the 26th February, 2026, at about 9pm, a distress call was received at the Central Police Station in Katsina about a large crowd gathered at the residence of one Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, a philanthropist, situated at Kofar Guga Quarters, Katsina, resulting in a stampede incident," Aliyu said.

He added, "Upon receipt of the report, promptly, a team of policemen responded to the scene. The rescuers rushed the victims to the nearest hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries."

The Commissioner of Police for Katsina State Command, CP Bello Shehu, has conveyed his condolences to the families of those who perished in the incident and offered well wishes for the recovery of the injured. He has also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy, with the aim of preventing similar occurrences in the future.

The police have advised individuals and organisations planning to conduct public charity events, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, to inform security agencies beforehand. This advance notification, they stated, would facilitate effective crowd management and the necessary deployment of security personnel.

DSP Aliyu stressed that proactive collaboration with the police and other security bodies is crucial for protecting beneficiaries and averting preventable loss of life during large public assemblies.