Two Feared Dead, 20 Injured In Akwa Ibom Stadium Stampede

Two persons were feared dead and 20 others injured in a stampede at
the entrance of Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Friday during its
inauguration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that crowd control was a
difficult task in spite of the road blocks mounted some kilometres
away from the stadium. Although the spectators got tickets to enable
them access the 30, 000 capacity stadium, the crowd started thronging
the stadium about five hours ahead of the scheduled time for the
match.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emem
Bassey, told NAN that two
unconscious persons were taken to an undisclosed hospital.

"I was told that two persons have been taken to the hospital; these
are perhaps people who were fighting at the gate in their bid to enter
the stadium," Dr. Bassey said.

He said that the third unconscious person, a woman, was revived in the
stadium and had started talking.

"It should be expected; this is the first time this is happening,
everybody is excited, everybody wants to enter the stadium. We have
150 medical personnel in this place and eight ambulances. All our
medical teams are up and doing and all the clinics are manned," Mr.
Bassey said.

NAN reports that the security operatives at some check points were
using horse whips and teargas to control the crowd.

Contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Isaac Achong, however
said, "there was no stampede, there was only crowd control. We are
only controlling the crowd entering the stadium."

When told that journalists at the stadium reported a stampede, he
said, "I'm not aware" and terminated the call.

An international friendly between the home-based senior national team
of Nigeria, Super Eagles B, and the U-23 National Team of Ghana, the
Black Meteors, was fixed to mark the opening of the stadium.

"It is possible football fans were scrambling to enter the stadium to
watch the match. That's what I heard," an Uyo resident, who said he
was on his way to the facility, said.

The President of Ghana, John Mahama and the Ivorian Head of State,
Alassane Ouattara were all in Uyo to open the new edifice.
--NAN