The Anambra State Police Command has released an update on the stampede that occurred at the Okija community in Ihiala Local Government Area, confirming that 22 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
The Explainer reported that the stampede happened during a food distribution event organized by the Obijackson Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by entrepreneur Ernest Obiejesi.
According to a statement released by the police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident occurred on Saturday, and the police were immediately notified.
“We received a distress call and promptly responded to the scene, where we found a large crowd of people who had gathered for the food distribution event,” Ikenga said.
The police spokesperson confirmed that 22 people died in the stampede, while several others sustained injuries.
“We are still compiling the list of injured persons, but we can confirm that several people were injured and are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals,” Ikenga added.
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, who personally visited the scene of the incident, expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
“The Police Command is deeply saddened by the loss of lives and is committed to ensuring that such incidents do not happen again in the future,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police also announced that an investigation into the incident has been launched, and the police are working to determine the cause of the stampede.
“We are working closely with the organizers of the event and other stakeholders to ensure that those responsible for the incident are held accountable,” he said.
The Obijackson Foundation has also released a statement expressing its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and are committed to supporting the families of the victims,” the foundation said.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with many calling for greater accountability and safety measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Anambra State Government has also announced that it will be conducting its own investigation into the incident and will take necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening again.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the police have urged members of the public to remain calm and to avoid spreading false information about the incident.
“We will provide regular updates on the investigation and will ensure that justice is served,” the police spokesperson said.
