Four persons died after a crowd surge during Ramadan charity distribution in Katsina, police confirm investigation underway.
Four people have lost their lives in a stampede that occurred during the distribution of Ramadan alms at Kofar Guga Quarters in Katsina metropolis.
The tragic incident happened on Friday at about 9:00 p.m. at the residence of a philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, where a large crowd had gathered to receive annual charity items.
Confirming the development, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said a distress call was received at the Central Police Station in Katsina indicating that the gathering had spiralled out of control, leading to a stampede.
According to him, police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and rescue victims. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention, but four later died from injuries sustained during the incident.
“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 stated.
“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, Katsina State Command, CP Bello Shehu, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also directed that a full-scale investigation be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and prevent similar occurrences.
The police urged individuals and organisations planning public charity events, particularly during the Ramadan period, to notify security agencies in advance to enable proper crowd control and adequate deployment of personnel.
Aliyu emphasised that proactive coordination with the police and other security agencies would help safeguard beneficiaries and prevent avoidable loss of life during large public gatherings.