28 Killed, 200 Wounded In Anambra Church Stampede

Scene of the crusade ground

Not less than 28 persons died  trampled to death on Saturday during a stampede Tragedy struck at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ground,
Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday leaving casualties in its trail.

Reports indicate that not less than 28 persons were trampled to death and no fewer 200 wounded in a stampede that at occurred at the Catholic Adoration ground.

According to reports, more than 100,000 people cramped themselves together  at the venue which does not boast facilities that can conveniently take 5,000 people, when the stampede occurred.

The people had gone to the ground for the all-night vigil.

It was not immediately known what triggered the stampede, but the incident was said to have occurred when shortly after Governor Peter Obi, the governorship candidate for the All progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Willie Obiano; and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, among others left the place after an all-night church programme.

About 200 victims that survived the stampede were taken hospitals in Onitsha and Nkpor where a lot of them were treated and discharged.

Obi, who later on visited hospitals, where the survivors of the stampede were being attended to, promised to set up a panel to investigate the cause of the stampede.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka , confirmed the incident but said he could not give figures or state the cause of the incident because investigations were still going on to establish the cause of the incident.

The Founder and Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Centre, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinma, a Catholic priest popularly called Ebube Mmuonso (the glory of the Holy Ghost), also went round to see and pray for the survivors.

He, however, said he was still too shocked to comment on the incident. However, the tragedy has been believed in some quarters to have political undertone because supporters of Governor Peter Obi and Senator Chris Ngige are already  trading blames on one another over who is ‘more’ responsible.