In the early hours of Saturday, November 02, 2013, there was a stampede moments after prayers at the Holy Ghost Adoration Centre, Uke, in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.
The stampede, which occurred while people were going home, resulted in the loss of some lives. Some are still injured and receiving treatments in some hospitals.
The stampede was reportedly caused by a false alarm raised by somebody in the crowd along one of the narrow roads out of the town. The crowd was so much that people wanting to leave all at the same time made it very difficult for people to find enough space to move.
This happened in just one of the roads out of the town.
Full investigations have been launched into the matter and more efforts are being made to protect the lives of all worshippers at the centre.
The Archdiocese of Onitsha remains very grateful to the many volunteers who swung into action immediately saving as many lives as possible. We also thank the management and staff of the various hospitals where the injured were sent immediately for treatment. They have been wonderful.
We remain grateful to you all for your closeness and sympathies at this difficult moment. May the dead through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
In a related story, overnor Peter Obi has declared three days of mourning in honour of the people killed in the stampede at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ground on November 2.
Obi in a broadcast to the people of the state commiserated with the bereaved families and the Catholic Church over the tragedy.
He said he was invited to the vigil, made a speech at about midnight and left at 3a.m, three hours before the stampede occurred.
“I appeal to the good people of the state to remain calm and prayerful as God who has been with us all this while, will help us to overcome the present sad development so that we can continue the task of turning around our state.”
“I have directed all security agencies to do everything possible to unearth the cause of this mayhem.”
“A panel of enquiry will soon be constituted to investigate what happened,” Obi said.
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