The police command in Cross River has confirmed the death of a woman following a stampede at an empowerment programme organised by the wife of the governor in Ogoja on Thursday.

The command’s spokesman, Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

According to him, police rescued two women and took them to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical attention, but one of them, Mary Oga from Imaje in Yala council area, was later pronounced dead.

Mr Eitokpah said the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. during the programme attended by the governor’s wife, Eyoanwan Otu, and her entourage. He said the crowd reportedly grew as attendees sought empowerment items, resulting in the stampede.

According to him, police and other security personnel responded to control the crowd and restore order. He said the command was reviewing the incident’s circumstances, including the sequence of events and the crowd-control response.

Mr Eitokpah said the commissioner of police, Ajo Ordue, commiserated with the deceased’s family and wished the surviving victim a speedy recovery. He restated the need for proper crowd management, adequate safety arrangements, and effective coordination at public gatherings.

The police spokesman said the surviving woman remained under medical care, adding that her condition would be communicated when verified and appropriate for release.

(NAN)