Update On Anambra Church Stampede: What Really Happened
Some survivors in last Saturday's stampede in which over 20 worshippers died at a church in Anambra State have relived their life-and-death experience. The death toll now stand at 25 as three of those presumed dead were said to have later regained consciousness.
Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Diocese, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, attributed the stampede at Holy Ghost Adoration Centre, Uke, Idemili South Local Council Area of Anambra State, to "false alarm".
Rev. Okeke told a news conference that the stampede was not caused by sabotage and that the church was not suspecting any sabotage. “It is an unfortunate incident," he said.
Represented by Rev. Fr. Uche Ukor, the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Okeke denied reports that the stampede was caused by a snake.
“In the early hours of Saturday, November 2, there was a stampede moments after prayers at Holy Ghost
Adoration Centre, Uke, in Idemili South Local Government Area 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 treatment 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 huge that people wanting to leave all at the same time, made it very difficult for people to find enough space to move.
“Vigil was usually held at the centre on every first Friday of the month. The crowd was unprecedented on this first Friday of November, probably because it was the Solemnity of All Saints – a holy day of obligation for Catholic faithful.”
“Save for the unprecedented crowd, the vigil started and ended normally," he said, and expressed sadness over the ugly incident.
“My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the incident."
On whether the incident had a political connotation, Rev. Okeke said the church would not delve into politics or speak for any politician. He, however, confirmed that Sen. Chris Ngige, APC's candidate in November 16 election, did not attend the programme.
Chris Ngige, who visited the recuperating victims in the hospitals, donated N500,000.00 to take care of their hospital bills.
