Ogoja Stampede: One Dead, Another Hospitalised — Police

 

The Police Command in Cross River has confirmed the death of a woman following a stampede at an empowerment programme organised by the wife of the state governor in Ogoja on Thursday.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Calabar.

Eitokpah said two women were rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical attention, but one of them, identified as Mary Oga from Imaje in Yala Local Government Area, was later pronounced dead.

He said the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. during the programme, which the governor’s wife attended with her entourage.

According to him, the crowd reportedly swelled as attendees scrambled to obtain empowerment items, triggering the stampede.

He said police and other security personnel responded to control the crowd and restore order.

Eitokpah added that the command was reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the sequence of events and the crowd-control measures adopted.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ajo Ordue, commiserated with the deceased’s family and wished the surviving victim a speedy recovery.

Ordue also stressed the need for proper crowd management, adequate safety arrangements and effective coordination at public gatherings.

The police spokesperson said the surviving woman remained under medical care, adding that the command would provide updates on her condition when the information had been verified and was appropriate for release.

He urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information while the review continued.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and pledged to provide further updates as necessary.