Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that two persons died in a stampede on Tuesday when members of a non-governmental organisation Inksnation besieged one of its offices in Rumuodara along the East-West Road, near Port Harcourt for Christmas packages.
Reports say eight persons were feared dead while many were injured.
A member of the NGO identified simply as Chinaza said the crowd was uncontrollable.
A video of the incident has since gone viral.
Rivers police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said in a statement that the commissioner of police has ordered investigation into the incident.
“I can confirm the incident of this morning, at an event centre, along the Rumuodara axis of the East/West Road, Obio/Akpor LGA, where palliatives were being distributed by INKSNATION, a Non-Governmental Organisation to her registered members from Ikwerre, Emohua and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, when suddenly there was a stampede leading to the death of two people.
“Some sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. Meanwhile, the situation is under control. The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan has instituted an immediate probe into the unfortunate incident with a view to ascertaining the circumstances and bringing persons found culpable to justice,” the statement read.
