The scene of the stampede where over 30 persons died, in Rivers State.
President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the victims of the Port Harcourt stampede at a religious event in Rivers State.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, on Saturday said the President is extremely saddened by the reported deaths of scores of worshippers.
“President Muhammadu Buhari says he is extremely saddened by the reported deaths of scores of worshippers during a stampede at a religious event in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” the statement added.
The president was quoted as calling on organizers of religious, political and other big events to plan well and carry them out in a disciplined manner to avert similar calamitous deaths and injuries.
Buhari said, “all efforts should be made to provide relief to those injured in the unfortunate incident”.
The Nigerian leader also called on disaster and relief agencies of the Federal Government should maintain constant contact with the Rivers State government to ensure that good care is taken of the relief efforts.
President Buhari expressed his condolences and that of the nation to the bereaved families and to the government and people of Rivers State and prayed to the Almighty to repose the souls of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Rivers state Governo,r Nyesom Wike has mourned the victims of the stampede at the Polo Club in Port Harcourt.
Wike expressed his grief over the incident which led to the death of over 30 people in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, on Saturday.
According to the statement, the governor on behalf of the Government and the people of Rivers State, pray for God to grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.
“I also pray for the souls of all the faithful departed to rest in perfect peace. And to the injured, I wish them a speedy recovery,” the statement noted.
Gover Wike promised to set up “a probe panel to investigate the incident and details on what transpired.
Writing by Abdullahi Lamino; editing by Saadatu Albashir