By Emeka Amaefula
NIGERIAN POLICE ORDERS DISCRETE INVESTIGATION OVER DEATH OF 31 CHURCH FREE FOOD SEEKERS AT PORT HARCOURT
The Nigerian Police has ordered for a discrete investigation into the death of over 31 persons who died during a free food Church programme held at Port Harcourt Polo Playground on Saturday, 28th, of May 2022. The Rivers state Southern Nigeria capital had been traumatized as the yearly Free Food bazaar programme organized by Kings Assembly Church, with head Quarters situate at Stadium Road but due to lack of adequate space it chose to organize the activity at a more expansive venue which the Port Harcourt Playground was more available. But free food seekers who want to take advantage of it chose to arrive early enough some as far back as 4am on the day but waited outside the main gate until they could no longer control themselves decided to surge towards the narrow gate thus leading to stampede.
The Ear Witness reporter gathered as at the time the stampede occurred organizers were yet to commence distribution of the free food at the venue. Mostly children and their mothers were said to have been among the fatalities while some others were serious injured as they are receiving treatment from nearby hospitals. Confirming the report, Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko stated in a document made available to the media “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.”