The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that a woman, identified as Mary Christiana Oga of Imaje, Yala Local Government Area in a stampede during the distribution of empowerment items, including food, at a programme organised by Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, wife of Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, in Ogoja on Thursday.
Reports say that several others injured have been rushed to the General Hospital, Ogoja, where doctors pronounced Christiana dead.
According to reports, the incident occurred when the crowd continually surged as they scrambled to obtain the empowerment items, resulting in the stampede.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being reviewed.
According to him, police officers and other security personnel responded during the stampede.
“The command is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the event.
“The deceased has been identified as Mary Christiana Oga of Imaje, Yala Local Government Area. She was pronounced dead at the General Hospital, Ogoja,” the PPRO said.
Meanwhile, the office of the first Lady of the Cross River State First had yet to respond to the development.
