Three deaths and several injuries reported in #AkwaIbomStadium opening

by Azubuike Azikiwe

Three persons reportedly died and over 20 were injured in a stampede that ensued during the launch of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 7 November.

Security men stationed at the gate were also accused of dispensing tear gas canisters and using horse whips to control the surging crowd, who were trying to gain entry into the stadium.

One of the injured victims, Mr. Wisdom Amaowo, claimed to have been shoved inside the gate by a security operative who also dispensed tear gas canisters on him.

He said, “After the policeman dispensed the tear gas canisters on me, I became unconscious and did not know when I was moved to where you now see me. Right now, I cannot bend; you can see many bruises and cut on my arms, legs and other parts of my body. Since I have been brought here, there is no one from the medical section of the stadium that has come to my aid.”

However, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emem Bassey, confirmed that two unconscious persons were taken to an undisclosed hospital, but stated that no death had been recorded.

He said, “I was told that two persons have been taken to the hospital; these are perhaps people who were fighting at the gate in their bid to enter the stadium.”

“It should be expected; this is the first time this is happening, everybody is excited, everybody wants to enter the stadium. We have 150 medical personnel in this place and eight ambulances. All our medical teams are up and doing and all the clinics are manned.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Achong, denied the occurence of a stampede, saying, “There was no stampede, there was only crowd control. We are only controlling the crowd entering the stadium.”

Comments (16)

  1. Ynaija always post what is right! Stop looking for cheap popularity!!!
    Where you there?!

  2. your news is fake and misleading. I was there til the end of the event, no death was occur. Always confirmed before publication.

  3. Akwa ibom, wetin una use dem do?

  4. There should be a body to regulate this stampede

  5. Bad staduim news.

  6. so who o they owe responsible? government or thier family?

  7. Naija i dey hail ooo! must evrryone attend?

  8. Serious Something

  9. Shows how disorganised we are in Naija

  10. Such is life

  11. Thats why i really dont like attending such events.

  12. Nigerians and impatience ehn.

  13. Too early to start having issues with the stadium

  14. Msy their souls resr in peace

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cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail