Police have confirmed that two persons died while many others sustained various injuries at a Christmas palliative distribution by a Non-Governmental Organisation, INKSNATION in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 7:30am, around Rumudara Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
A source, who simply identified herself as Blessing said hundreds of registered members of the platform were struggling to gain access to the office resulting in the stampede.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, while confirming the development, said the palliatives were being distributed by INKSNATION, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) when the stampede took place.
Omoni, however, said two persons died in the incident with many others that sustained injuries of various degrees.
His words: “I can confirm the incident of this morning at an event centre along the Rumuodara axis of the East/West Road, Obio/Akpor LGA, where palliatives were being distributed.
“The palliatives were being distributed by INKSNATION, a Non-Governmental Organisation to her registered members from Ikwerre, Emohua and Obio/Akpor local government areas, when suddenly there was a stampede leading to the death of two people.”
The police spokesperson added that “Meanwhile the situation is under control. The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph G Mukan has instituted immediate probe into the unfortunate incident with a view to ascertaining the circumstances and bringing persons found culpable to justice. Further developments will be communicated accordingly.”