Tragedy at Akwa Ibom stadium inauguration: 3 people feared dead

Tragedy marred Friday’s inauguration of the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo as three persons were feared dead while over 20 were injured in a stampede that occurred in the stadium. 

Punch reports that apart from the stampede which led to the death of the affected people, security men at the gate dispensed tear gas canisters on those trying to gain entry into the stadium.

One of the injured victims, Mr. Wisdom Amaowo, told the newspaper that he was pushed inside the gate by a security operative who also fired tear gas at him.

“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” he said, “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.”

The state Commissioner for Health, Mr. Emem-Abasi Bassey, confirmed the incident, saying that he was aware of the situation at the gate as both those with tickets and those without the tickets were struggling to gain entry into the stadium.

He said no life was lost as being reported and that up to 150 medical personnel were on ground to attend to injured victims.

He said: “We have just revived a woman whose condition was terrible as a result of the stampede. We are completely in control of the situation,” he said.