Many Feared Dead After Stampede At Religious Service In Anambra State

Many worshippers were feared dead, and many injured following a stampede at a religious crusade in Uke, Idemili local council of the eastern Nigerian state of Anambra.

The number of the dead could not be ascertained, but the police said they have launched an investigation into the cause.

A TV report said as many as 25 people died, with about 200 injured.

The stampede occurred at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ground in Uke early today.The monthly service was organised by the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka, spoke on the police investigation in an interview with NAN.

Gov. Peter Obi and Sen. Chris Ngige were among the early callers at the scene of the incident to commiserate with the victims.

Meanwhile, Gov. Obi had promised to set up a panel of enquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.

The state governor, who visited the scene of the incident alongside the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 9, Philemon Leha, Assistant Inspector General of Police of C Department, Kachi Udeoji, and the state commissioner of police, Bala Nasarawa, vowed to unravel the cause of the incident adding that whoever is the brain behind the incident will not go unpunished.

The vigil was a special one, as November 1 was All Saints Day in the church calendar and that accounted for the over one hundred thousand faithful that gathered.

The governor, who attended the vigil with the governorship candidate, Willie Obiano, the National chairman of APGA, Victor Umeh and others had left at 3:30am shortly before the close of the service at 5:08am when the incident happened.

According to various accounts of the incident, the event was caused by the overcrowded church ground while others said shouts of fire outbreak threw confusion amongst the people who reacted and scampered for safety.

A statement made available to NAN and signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Valentine Obieyem, quoted the governor as expressing shock over the incident.

The governor promised to take care of the medical bills of the victims.