Four die in Katsina Ramadan alms stampede

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the death of four persons following a stampede during the distribution of annual Ramadan alms at Kofar Guga Quarters in Katsina State.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Aliyu, said the tragic incident occurred on February 26, at about 9pm.

According to the statement, a distress call was received at the Central Police Station in Katsina about a large crowd that had gathered at the residence of a philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, located at Kofar Guga Quarters.

“The Katsina State Police Command regrets to report a stampede incident that occurred during the distribution of annual Ramadan Alms at Kofar Guga Quarters, resulting in several people sustaining injuries,” the statement read.

“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 Alh. Dahiru Usman Sarki, a philanthropist, situated at Kofar Guga Quarters, Katsina, resulting in a stampede incident,” the statement partly read.

Aliyu said officers were immediately deployed to the scene upon receipt of the report.

“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 command stated.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bello Shehu, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured quick recovery, as he directed for further investigation and necessary measures to prevent future occurrences

The command also called on individuals and organisations planning to distribute alms or organise similar events to notify the police in advance to ensure proper 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 so as to ensure safety of lives and property and orderliness during such events to prevent similar incidents in the future. Further development will be communicated in due course as the investigation proceeds,” the statement concluded.