At least 14 people were on killed Tuesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday.
Eight others were reportedly injured at the event attended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The president “has just been informed of the tragic deaths of several members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in a stampede during a presidential rally held in Port Harcourt in Rivers State,” the party said in a statement released late Tuesday.
Judith Amaechi, who runs the part’s women and youth team in support of Buhari in the region, expressed “deep shock over the death of APC members who were in a stampede”.
Panic broke out at the end of the gathering when crowds tried to force their way through a locked exit.
President Buhari and his entourage had left the stadium when it happened.
Spokesman for the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Kem Daniel-Elebiga, confirmed that 14 people died.
“There are others under medical attention at the Emergency Unit, so we can’t force a clear figure beyond what the situation is at the moment,” Daniel-Elebiga told AFP.
Rivers police spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, adding that four persons were receiving treatment at a hospital.
“I can confirm to you that four persons died as a result of a stampede at the stadium on Tuesday. Four other persons are currently receiving treatment in a hospital,” Mr Omoni said.
