Cross River map
The Police Command in Cross River State has confirmed the death of a woman following a stampede at a community empowerment programme in Ogoja Local Government Area.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday during an event hosted by the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, and her entourage.
In a statement issued on Friday in Calabar, the Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, revealed that two women were rescued from the scene and rushed to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for emergency medical treatment.
However, one of the victims, identified as Mary Oga from Imaje in Yala Local Government Area, was later pronounced dead by medical personnel. The surviving victim remains under medical care, with updates on her condition expected once verified.
According to the police, the stampede broke out as the crowd surged forward in an attempt to receive empowerment items, overwhelming the space before security forces intervened to restore order.
“The Command is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the sequence of events and the crowd-control response,” Eitokpah stated.
Reacting to the tragedy, Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajo Ordue, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the surviving victim a quick recovery. He stressed the vital importance of implementing strict crowd management protocols, proper safety measures, and effective coordination at all public gatherings.
The Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while the official review into the incident continues, reassuring the public of its ongoing commitment to protecting lives and property.
