RismadarVoice Reporters
October 23, 2026
A woman has died, and another has been hospitalised following a stampede at an empowerment programme attended by the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, in Ogoja.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as a growing crowd gathered to receive empowerment materials distributed during the programme.
The deceased was identified as Mary Christiana Oga, a resident of Imaje community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command said two women were rescued from the scene and taken to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical attention.
One woman was subsequently pronounced dead by medical personnel, while the second woman remained under treatment.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, disclosed that security personnel responded to the incident and took measures to restore order at the venue.
According to the police, the crowd continued to increase as participants attempted to obtain empowerment items, resulting in a stampede.
The command said it had commenced a review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the sequence of events and the response of personnel responsible for crowd control.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the surviving victim a speedy recovery.
He emphasised the importance of effective crowd management, adequate safety arrangements and proper coordination during public gatherings.
The police also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information while investigations continued.
The empowerment programme was part of activities involving the governor’s wife and her entourage in the northern senatorial district of Cross River State.
Some media reports indicated that additional participants sustained injuries during the incident, although the police statement specifically confirmed two women taken to hospital, including the deceased.
The total number of people affected has therefore not been independently established.
As of the initial reports, the office of the governor’s wife had not issued a publicly confirmed response addressing the incident.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about safety arrangements at large public gatherings, particularly events involving the distribution of food and other assistance to vulnerable residents.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as their review progresses.
