More than 30 persons were injured as police tried to
control enthusiastic crowds that thronged the new sports facility in Uyo
on Friday.
Our correspondent on ground witnessed that the inauguration ceremony of the 30,000-seater stadium, that has a bulletproof state box with 70 seats, was marred by stampedes which happened at the entrance of the stadium.
The many spectators curious to access the match venue were denied access from 2pm on Friday despite several holding onto the 500 Naira worth entry tickets. Continue reading.......
Security agents at some check points used horse whips and tear gas to control the crowd after angry fans threw stones at some security officials.
A police officer told our correspondent that tough precautions were taken following the presence of three heads of states including Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan alongside Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama and Ivory Coast’s Allasane Ouattara at the ceremony.
One incident that happened at the main entrance of the stadium at about 5pm saw two people fall into a deep drainage while the security agents drove the itching crowd away as more than 15 fans sustained injuries.
Another stampede which also happened closer to the entrance saw nearly 20 people crashing to the ground after the crowd was pushed back by security guards.
One journalist was injured on his wrist and had to receive treatment alongside many other fans who came to the game.
The population outside grew with everyone desperate to enter till about 8pm when the international friendly game between Nigeria and Ghana’s U23 team started. The hosts won 1-0 courtesy of a header from Dolphins’ Emem Eduok.
Nigeria would host their final 2015 Africa Cup of Nations match against South Africa at the new stadium on November 19.
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