Stampede Over Palliatives Claims Two In Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that two persons lost their lives during a stampede that occurred over the distribution of Christmas palliatives around Rumuodara area in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, yesterday.
A statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed that the deaths happened during the distribution of palliatives by a non-governmental organisation for its members from Ikwerre, Emohua and Port Harcourt City local government areas in Rumuodara, adding that many people sustained injuries and had been rushed to hospital for medical attention.
“I can confirm the incident of this morning, at an event centre, along the Rumuodara axis of the East-West Road, Obio/Akpor LGA, where palliatives were being distributed by INKSNATION, a non-governmental organisation to its registered members from Ikwerre, Emohua and Obio/Akpor local government areas, when suddenly, there was a stampede leading to the death of two people, while some sustained various degrees of injuries, and are currently receiving medical attention”.
The statement, however, said the state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, has instituted immediate probe into the unfortunate incident with a view to ascertaining the circumstances and bringing persons found culpable to justice, adding that further developments would be communicated accordingly.
However, sources said that no fewer than eight persons may have lost their lives as a result of the incident.
It was gathered that the organisation had invited its registered members to receive their Christmas package at the location, yesterday.
One of the members, who gave her name as Chinaza, said that many people showed up for the package, and were in a hurry to access the building.
She said that the situation led to a stampede, adding that people stepped on others in order not to miss out on the palliative.
“Many were injured in the pandemonium,” she added.
A viral online video shows some of the victims with bruises, while others had collapsed.
Some people were seen trying to rescue those who had collapsed.