8 people die at palliative sharing centre in Rivers

Rivers state has been plunged into mourning as at least eight people were reportedly stampeded to death at a Xmas palliative sharing centre. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning, December 15, in Rumudara town of Obio/Akpor local government area. According to The Nation, the tragedy began when hundreds of people said to be members of Pinkcoin, an online blockchain digital assets designed for giving charity, gathered at the centre to receive some palliative ahead of the Christmas. However, the crowd became uncontrollable as people struggled to gain access to the office, leading to the stampede.

Eight people have reportedly died during a stamped at a palliative sharing centre in Rivers. Credit: Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Source: Facebook

Speaking on the incident, the Rivers police command said the situation is being closely monitored to avert further tragedy.

The command gave this assurance through its police public relations officer, Nnamdi Omoni.

Riot at the Rukpoku area of Port Harcourt ensued on Thursday, December 10, after a policeman shot dead a tricycle driver over his refusal to give N100 bribe.

The tragedy which took place along the famous Airport road led to serious unrest and of course gridlock. The traffic jam was caused majorly by colleagues of the slain tricycle rider (keke) and other aggrieved youths who mounted burnfires on the expressway.

In a related development, an explosion rocked a church belonging to the father of Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

It was gathered that the hoodlums numbering about five sneaked into the Christian Universal Church International on 25 Azikiwe street Mile, 3 Diobu, on the night of Saturday, November 28, and detonated the explosives suspected to be dynamite. A significant part of the church was damaged by the explosion, which created panic in the area.