Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, were reportedly killed following a stampede that occurred at the campaign rally of President Muhammadu Buhari held in Rivers State on Tuesday.
The venue of the rally was the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
The people were said to have died following the stampede that followed attempt by some of the supporters to exit.
Some people were also said to have been injured but were taken to hospital for treatment.
Confirming the incident, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, expressed the regrets of President Muhammadu Buhari over the incident.
President Muhammadu Buhari has just been briefed about the tragic death of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a stampede at the presidential campaign rally held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday, he said.
According to him, President Buhari was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and he extended deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
This is as he also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.
Shehu said the president described the deaths as “needless loss of lives and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the stadium.
“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.
“I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” the president was quoted as saying.
Shehu said President Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the Federal Government during the difficult time.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased persons.
It would be recalled that some people also died last week at the APC presidential rally in Jalingo in Taraba.
