The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed death of 31 persons as a result the stampede that occurred at Polo Club, Tomba Street, Port Harcourt, River State.

The police said, “it has been brought under control and normalcy restored to the area.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the command have however revealed that the unfortunate incident occured when the management of Kings Church Assembly organized a crusade that 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.

In a statement on Saturday May 28, 2022, the police said, “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 (31) persons lost their lives in the stampede.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday, while condemning the incident, 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.

Spokesperson of the command,
DSP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the story in a statement she issued

For advert placement, media coverage or public relations consultancy, SMS 08057641919