Cross River stampede: Woman dies, several injured at Gov Otu’s wife empowerment programme
A woman identified as Mary Christiana Oga from Imaje in Yala Local Government Area has died, and several others have sustained serious injuries following a stampede at an empowerment program held in Ogoja on Thursday. The event was organized by Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the wife of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.
Emergency responders transported the victims to the General Hospital in Ogoja, where Oga was pronounced dead upon arrival. As of Thursday evening, several others were receiving treatment at the hospital.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident and the woman’s death. Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata stated that officers were reviewing the circumstances surrounding the stampede, which was reportedly triggered by a growing crowd as residents rushed to collect the empowerment items, which included food.
Akata emphasized the importance of proper crowd management and safety arrangements at public events. As of the reporting time, officials from the Cross River State First Lady’s office had not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
