The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that he is extremely saddened by the freak accident that saw to the death of scores of worshippers during a stampede at a religious event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a reaction to the sad incident, Buhari admonished organizers of religious, political and other big events to plan well and carry them out in a disciplined manner to avert similar calamitous deaths and injuries.
He directed that “all efforts should be made to provide relief to those injured in the unfortunate incident” and that disaster and relief agencies of the Federal Government should maintain constant contact with the Rivers State government to ensure that good care is taken of the relief efforts.
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This was disclosed in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, on Saturday.
Buhari also expressed his condolences and that of the nation to the bereaved families and to the government and people of Rivers State and prayed to the Almighty to repose the souls of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the death of 31 persons in a stampede that occurred during a church program in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The command also disclosed that those who were injured were “swiftly evacuated to the hospital for immediate medical treatment”.
The Police in Rivers confirmed the death of 31 persons in a stampede during an outreach programme organised by a new generation church, Kings Assembly, on Saturday in Port Harcourt.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to the Newmen in Port Hacourt.
Ms Iringe-Kok told Newsmen that the church, located in GRA in Rivers capital, had invited members of the public to an event where it would share some gifts, including foodstuffs.
She said the event was held at the Port Harcourt Polo Club, a bigger facility to accommodate the anticipated crowd, including the underprivileged.
The police spokesperson said the stampede occurred when the people who had gathered struggled to force their way into the arena, resulting in the death of the 31 persons.