Cross River: One dead in empowerment programme stampede

One woman has died while another sustained injuries following a stampede at an empowerment programme in Ogoja, Cross River State, on Thursday.

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, on Thursday.

The incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. during the programme, which was attended by the wife of the Cross River State governor and her entourage.

According to the police, the crowd at the venue continued to grow as participants gathered to receive empowerment items, resulting in the stampede.

Two women were rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical attention, but one of them was subsequently pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The deceased was identified as Mary Christiana Oga, from Imaje in Yala Local Government Area of the state.

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The police said the second victim remained under medical care, adding that her condition would be made public once verified.

Police and other security personnel reportedly responded to the incident to control the crowd and restore order.

The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, commiserated with the family of the deceased and wished the surviving victim a speedy recovery.

The command said it was reviewing the sequence of events, the circumstances surrounding the stampede and the crowd-control measures at the venue.

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

The police urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information while the review continues.