At least eight people have been feared killed in Rivers following a stampede over Christmas palliatives along the East-West Road in Rumuodara, reports from witnesses said.

The police in Rivers confirmed only two deaths during the incident, but locals suggested the police were following their typical pattern of understating fatalities and victims of an incident.

Non-profit Inksnation organised the sharing of food and other gift items near Port-Harcourt on Tuesday morning, police said.

Rivers police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said Inksnation was sharing palliative to its registered members in Ikwere, Emohua, and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas when suddenly there was a stampede that led to the death of two people.

Mr. Omoni said several persons who sustained degrees of injuries are currently receiving medical treatment. Casualties and survivors were still being identified as of Tuesday afternoon, Peoples Gazette learnt.

The police also said an investigation had been ordered into the incident to bring persons found culpable to justice, but did not disclose if the officials of the NGO and other suspects have been taken into custody.

Earlier, some residents took to social media on Tuesday morning complaining about a huge traffic jam caused by some residents struggling to get their share of palliative.