The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ogoja, the Rt. Rev’d Ifeanyi Akunna, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a woman reportedly trampled during a stampede at a food distribution programme organised by the Cross River State Government in Ogoja on Thursday.
The incident, which also left several people injured, occurred during an empowerment initiative intended to provide relief and support to residents of the area.
In a condolence statement personally signed by him, Bishop Akunna described the incident as distressing, extending the sympathy of the Anglican Diocese of Ogoja to the bereaved families and others affected by the tragedy.
He said the loss of lives and injuries sustained during the programme were deeply saddening, noting that the pain of losing a loved one under such circumstances was difficult to express in words.
“On behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Ogoja, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones in this unfortunate incident. No words can adequately express the pain of losing a loved one, especially under circumstances that could have been avoided,” the bishop stated.
He prayed for divine comfort and strength for the bereaved families as they navigate the difficult period, asking the Holy Spirit to console and uphold them in their grief.
Bishop Akunna also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, saying, “May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Apart from expressing condolences, the cleric commiserated with the Cross River State Government and the people of the state, describing the incident as heartbreaking, particularly because the programme was designed to bring relief and hope to beneficiaries.
He regretted that an initiative intended to improve the welfare of residents had ended in mourning and the loss of innocent lives.
“It is indeed heartbreaking that an initiative intended to bring relief, hope and assistance to the good people of Ogoja ended in sorrow, mourning and the needless loss of innocent lives,” he said.
“What was meant to be a gesture of goodwill and compassion has sadly turned into an occasion of grief,” he added.
While acknowledging the state government’s empowerment and welfare initiatives, Bishop Akunna urged the authorities to take concrete steps to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
He stressed the need for proper planning and coordination of public welfare programmes, particularly those involving the distribution of food, relief materials and other essential items to large crowds.
According to him, such interventions must be supported by adequate security arrangements and effective crowd-control measures to protect beneficiaries and uphold the dignity and safety of every individual.
The bishop emphasised that the safety of citizens must remain a priority in the planning and execution of government-assisted programmes, regardless of their intended benefits.
Bishop Akunna also commended Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu for his reported commitment to covering the medical expenses of victims receiving treatment in hospital.
He described the governor’s decision as a compassionate gesture and urged the state government to sustain the support until the injured victims had fully recovered.
The bishop’s commendation came amid calls for continued assistance to those affected by the stampede, particularly residents still undergoing medical treatment.
He further praised the Nigerian military and the Nigeria Police Force for their timely intervention, saying their response helped restore order at the scene and prevent further casualties.
The cleric’s statement concluded with a call for greater responsibility in organising public empowerment and relief programmes, stressing that measures to support vulnerable residents must not expose them to avoidable risks.
He reiterated his sympathy for the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured, while urging the relevant authorities to ensure that future distributions are conducted in a safe, orderly and well-coordinated manner.
