OVER 20 DEAD FOLLOWING STAMPEDE IN UKE, ANAMBRA STATE

The Anambra state Police Command has commenced full scale investigations into the death of some persons at Holy Ghost Adoration Ground in Uke, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra on Saturday. The Police Public Relations Officer DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka in a telephone interview with correspondent Onuora Aninwobodo said two Deputy Inspector-Generals of Police Kachy Ugorji and Philemon Leha have visited the scene of the incident. 

The Command spokesman said for now the cause of the death is believed to be stampede, but investigation will reveal if there is other extraneous forces.  

He maintained that the number of deaths cannot be ascertained until investigations are concluded.

ADDITIONAL REPORT 

NO fewer than 25 persons, who attended the weekly crusade at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, lost their lives during a stampede at the end of the ceremony in the early hours of Saturday.

The crusade, organized by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinma for prayers, healing and spiritual retreat, attracts thousands of people, but the one that was held Saturday, on the Feast of All Saints turned tragic.

AFTER THE STAMPEDE (courtesy Vanguard)

As estimated 100,000 worshippers attended the crusade because, apart from coinciding with the Feast of All Saints, it was also the first Saturday of the month.

Apart from the dead 25, whose bodies were said to have been deposited at Immaculate Heart Hospital and Maternity, Nkpor and Charles Borromew Hospital, Onitsha, several others, who sustained various degrees of injuries, are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Onitsha.

The campaign organisations of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and All Progressives Congress, APC are currently trading blames as to the cause of the tragedy.

EXPLOSION AS SPEAKER DELTA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY VISISTS OBAMKPA COMMUNITY

The Delta State Police Command is investigating the circumstances surrounding an explosion, in Obomkpa community, Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Lucky Uyabeme told Our Correspondent that the explosion occurred on Friday, during the visit of the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei to the community.

VICTOR OCHEI

He said two people were critically injured when a local cannon, used during funeral and festivals exploded close to the Speaker, as he was acknowledging cheers from the crowd. 

Mr Uyabeme said a suspect is currently in custody in connection with the incident.

However speculations are rife that the Delta State speaker may have been targeted by some of his foes, as he is highly favoured to succeed Governor Emanuel Uduaghan. We will bring you update on this report as soon as they are available.

CHOLERA KILLS 86 IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian Government says death toll from the outbreak of cholera in parts of the country has hit 86, from the one thousand, six hundred and twenty-three cases so far recorded.

HEALTH MINISTER

A statement issued in Abuja by the Dan Nwwomeh, the Media Assistant to the Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, directed all federal health facilities in Nigeria to offer free services to cholera patients.
Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control was asked to immediately coordinate all its response activities and submit daily report to the Ministry of Health.
Cholera has been reported in Plateau, Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara, Oyo and Nasarawa states.

LAGOS: TOXIC FUMES SENDS SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMA

In Lagos, no fewer than 25 students of Ogba Junior Secondary School, yesterday, went into coma after inhaling a chemical waste allegedly discharged into drainage by a company, Bizcircuit Photo Laboratory, located a few metres from the school premises.

Reports say the gas enveloped the school premises at about noon.

The affected students were rushed to hospital by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA.

LASEMA’s Head of Logistic, Femi Giwa, said of the 25 victims, four were in critical condition but responding to treatment.

One of the school’s pupils, Adetayo Adekanbi, said: “We were in the classroom when we perceived the offensive gas and smoke clouding the entire premises. We never knew the gas was injurious.