At least 15 people have been confirmed dead in a stampede at a campaign rally for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, according to Kem-Daniel Elebiga, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital official.
The incident happened at a stadium in the southern city of Port Harcourt when the crowd surged towards a gate after President Buhari’s speech.
Twelve injured people were also brought in, nine of whom remained in hospital on Wednesday. “They are all responding well to treatment,” said Elebiga.
Police in Rivers state, of which Port Harcourt is the capital, earlier gave a toll of four dead and four injured, while Buhari’s office said only that “several” people lost their lives.
Conflicting death tolls are not unusual in Nigeria, although the authorities often provide lower numbers.
Local media and eyewitnesses said the stampede happened when panic broke out at the end of a rally held in the city’s Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
“Those from behind were pushing and putting pressure on those in front, leading to some persons falling on the ground and being trampled upon,” said journalist Egufe Yafugborhi, of the Vanguard newspaper.
Most of the victims are reported to have fallen and been trampled as the crowd tried to force its way through a partially locked gate to follow Mr Buhari as he left the arena.
In another incident in January 21, several people were injured in the northeastern city of Maiduguri when a platform collapsed during a visit by Buhari.
In Rivers, police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said: “The commissioner of police has ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the stampede with a view to preventing a recurrence.
“We are also evolving measures to improve on crowd control at such events.”
Mr Buhari is running for a second term in tightly contested elections due to be held on Saturday.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is seen as his main contender.
The two leaders have signed an agreement in the capital, Abuja, pledging to promote peace and follow the legal process if there is a dispute after the vote.