OGOJA STAMPEDE: One Dead, One Injured at First Lady's Empowerment Programme

By Missang AKPET 

One woman identified as Christiana Oga has been confirmed death following a stampede during the Cross River State first Lady's empowerment programme in Ogoja on Thursday.

The deceased who is from Imaje in Yala LGA was among two women who were rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Ogoja for medical attention following the stampede but was later pronounced death by the medical doctor while the second woman is still receiving treatment at the hospital.

The incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. during an empowerment programme for the Northern Senatorial District attended by the wife of the Cross River State Governor and her entourage.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata said the crowd reportedly continued to grow as attendees struggled to obtain empowerment items, leading to the stampede.

He said the Police and other security personnel resorted to control the crowd and restore order to the event. The Command according to the PPRO, is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the even.

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

He emphasized the importance of proper crowd management, adequate safety arrangements and effective coordination at public gatherings.

The Command urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information as it continues to review the sequence of events and crowd-control response.

The Police said it remains committed to protecting lives and property and will provide further updates as necessary.

The empowerment is part of the First Lady Bishop Eyoanwan Otu's statewide Humanity Tour and Empowerment