Giveaways gifts: 31 dead in Port Harcourt Church stampede

No fewer than 31 people died during a stampede at the Port Harcourt Polo Club while rushing to get giveaways from Kings Assembly International Church’s Free shopping programme.

NEWSFLASH NIGERIA learnt that the programme is aimed at helping the less privileged in society.

Eyewitnesses said thousands of people gathered at the venue as early as 2.00 am and were trying to force their way into the premises resulting in a stampede and deaths.

“A nursing mother with her newborn baby of about four months were victims.

“I had to leave the event when I saw the increasing number of people rushing to get things free.

“There was no crowd control. Ambulances, policemen and other security agencies have been rushing the injured and evacuating the dead bodies at the scene,” a nursing mother said.

The programme, titled ‘Shop for Free,’ was organized to help the less privileged get gifts and other items free of charge.

As of the time of filing this report, over 30 dead bodies have been counted so far, including a pregnant lady and three children.

The ugly incident occurred when the organizers of the programme failed to adequately control the crowd who tried to force their way into the venue, thereby causing a serious stampede which resulted in a loss of lives.

Although the Kings Assembly International Church, Port Harcourt has not reacted to the unfortunate incident, it was learnt some of the top elders of the church have been arrested and detained at the Olu Obasanjo Police Division.

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