The command confirmed the casualty figure from the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, after the state police commissioner, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the victims in the hospital.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that 22 people died on Saturday during a stampede that occurred in Okija community in the Ihiala Local Government Area of the state while rice was being shared in the community.
The command confirmed the casualty figure from the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, after the state police commissioner, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the victims in the hospital.
SaharaReporters had reported that the police confirmed that some yet-to-be-confirmed number of residents of Okija community died in the early hours of Saturday while rice was being shared to people in the community.
The rice was said to have been shared by Obijackson Foundation, an organization belonging to a business magnate, Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi.
Meanwhile, there have been conflicting casualty figures with some reporting over 100 and many others reporting 20. However, the police spokesperson in the statement on Sunday said 22 people were confirmed dead.
Ikenga said, “The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on 21/12/2024 in Okija, Ihiala local government area, are receiving treatment and regrettably Stated that twenty-two people lost their lives.
“The CP, while commiserating with family and friends of the deceased, wishes the injured a quick recovery.
“Meanwhile, the investigation into the unfortunate incident is still ongoing.”
“The Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of Ndi Anambra on crime prevention, responding promptly and effectively to emergencies, Protecting vulnerable populations and fostering a sense of security and community,” he added.