BREAKING: Over 20 Feared Killed In Port Harcourt Church Stampede, Nigerians React
- Over 20 people are feared dead in a stampede just before the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
- Though the church is located in the GRA axis of the metropolis, the programme was at the Polo Club in the Rivers state capital to accommodate the usual large congregation
- Meanwhile, the crowd overstretched the venue as the church had invited members of the public to come and receive gift items and food for its fourth anniversary
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At least 21 persons are feared dead in an early morning stampede at a new generation church in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Daily Trust reports that the incident happened during the fourth edition of the church’s gift and food items distribution.
The witness said some of the invitees arrived on Friday, May 27, while others arrived as early as 6.30am this morning, Saturday, May 28, for an event that was supposed to start by 9:00am.
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A witness shared crucial details
The witness said some persons who were supposed to have a sports session arrived at about 8am and opened the small gate which gave the surging crowd an opportunity to force their way in, resulting in the stampede, The Punch also reported.
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He said:
“The incident happened this morning. The church invited people for it’s fourth edition of food and gift items distribution. Some came since Friday while many others came as early as 6.30am on Saturday.
“Those who were engaged in sporting activities opened the small gate and the surging crowd wanted to gain access through the small gate and got stampeded. I counted about 21 one dead bodies on the ground.”
He said many victims had been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
Police react
Meanwhile, the Rivers state police command public relations officer, Iringe Grace Koko said she was on her way to the scene of the incident to get accurate information.
She stated:
“I am doing a press statement on the incident. It would be released soon.”
Nigerians react
Nigerians took to the official Facebook page of Legit.ng and reacted to the sad incident.
Otunba Adegoke said
"They went to look for food which in most cases might not be more than N500 but they met their waterloo."
Chi Ada asked
"Hope they wont blame IPOB."
Ify Busomma Obianyo said
"And Wike is busy campaigning for Obi while his people die of hunger.."
Adeyinka Ayano said
"The economy situation in the country has make everything turn to "Survival of the Fittest" leading to loss of lives."
Chioma Adeze said
"Wike has paid his dues he may emerge PDP presidential candidate."
Yomi Williams flashback
"This is indeed devastating...
"This reminds me of covid locked down and palliation period, hunger turned mature people to scavengers,
"What my ears saw that day my eyes can't say it all.."
Mali Idachaba said
"Who should be held liable for this? Of course the church administration for failing in its duty of care."
Oluremi Agunbiade said
"That is the extent to which poverty has ravage our country, too sad"
Abdullahi Mohammed said
"This so unfortunate. They died at a time when the governor of their state was reported to have allegedly shared $100k to each PDP national delegate. What a scarcity in the midst of abundance!"
Adefuwa Samuel Adeniyi prayed
"It's so painful, see what hunger has caused. May God bless us with riches in Jesus name."
Death toll in Kano explosion rises to 9 as NEMA begins rescue operations
In another development, the death toll in a gas explosion that occurred in Kano state on Tuesday, May 17, has increased to nine, according to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The ministry disclosed this in a tweet sighted by Legit.ng on its verified official Twitter handle.
The director-general of the National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib Ahmed, has also arrived at the scene of the incident, according to the tweet.
Apongbon fire outbreak: Lagos announces closure of Eko Bridge
In another news, Legit.ng reported that the Lagos state government had announced the closure of the popular Eko Bridge following the fire incident in Apongbon area.
According to a statement issued by the Lagos state government, it said the bridge would be closed indefinitely.
The statement says:
“TRAVEL ALERT: Eko Bridge has been shut indefinitely by the Lagos State Government due to a fire outbreak at Apongbon in the early hours of today."
It will be recalled that Legit.ng on Wednesday, March 23, reported the fire outbreak where some nearby vehicles were affected with no life lost.
Source: Legit.ng
