*Re-affirms 31 deaths recorded at religious event held in Polo Club
*Work with Police for event security, crowd control management in future, Police boss tells religious, charity organisations
By KEMI KASUMU
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Command have however revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred when the management of Kings Church Assembly organized a crusade which attracted mammoth crowd. It further revealed that there were plans by the church management to give away food and gift items to the less privilege.”
The Rivers State Police Command, which confirmed Saturday the incident leading to death of 31 Nigerians in rush for free food and gifts at the instance of a new generation church in Port Harcourt, has given further details.
It will be recalled that the Command in a report by this online newspaper, had declined to comment further as it said an investigation had been ordered to enable it determine what, why and how things actually happened.
In an official statement that followed, therefore, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, reiterated that the stampede actually occurred at the Rivers Polo Club and that having restored normalcy in the area, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Friday Eboka, has directed discrete investigations into the matter even as he has also issued advisory to religious and charity organisations.
In the advisory, CP Eboka, while condemning the incident, called on religious and charity organisations to work with the Police for security and crowd control management in organising their programmes in the future.
The statement read: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the stampede that occurred at Polo Club, Tomba Street, Port Harcourt, River State, has been brought under control and normalcy restored to the area.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Command have however revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred when the management of Kings Church Assembly organized a crusade which attracted mammoth crowd. It further revealed that there were plans by the church management to give away food and gift items to the less privilege. Unfortunately, the crowd became tumultuous and uncontrollable and all efforts made by the organizers to bring sanity proved abortive hence, the stampede.
“On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police immediately drafted adequate police patrol teams to the scene and they were able to restore normalcy. Persons that were injured were swiftly evacuated to the Hospital for immediate medical treatment. Unfortunately, a total of thirty-one persons lost their lives in the stampede.
“Meanwhile, the situation has been brought under control and enough police presence has been put on ground to work with the Command’s safety management officers.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday, while condemning the incident, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-Charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department to carry out discrete investigations into the incident. He further called on religious and charity organizations to ensure they work with the Police for security and crowd control management in organizing their programmes in the future. The CP commiserates with the bereaved families and pray God to comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” DSP Iringe-Koko said.
