Two persons have reportedly died and scores injured, on Tuesday, after a stampede that occurred while Inksnation, an online business venture, distributed Christmas palliatives to its members in Port Harcourt, the police have confirmed.
Registered members of the online business venture had gone to the office to redeem Christmas palliatives before the stampede occurred around 7:30am at a location along East-West Road, in Rumudara area of Port Harcourt.
A video shared on Facebook show a crowd trying to revive those who allegedly slumped during the stampede. Some can be seen performing CPR on some the victims. Dead victims are being carried out of the premises with no ambulance in sight.
The state Police Command, Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, while confirming the report said the situation had been brought to control.
“Inksnation was distributing palliative to her registered members from Ikwerre, Emohua and Obio/Akpor LGA, when suddenly there was a stampede leading to the death of two people.
“Some sustained various degrees of injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention.
“Meanwhile, the situation is under control. The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, has instituted an immediate probe into the unfortunate incident to ascertain the circumstances and the culprits to justice.” Omoni said.
Cause of the Stampede at Insksmarket
Eyewitnesses told REPORT AFRIQUE that the venue for the distribution of the Inksnation’s palliatives had been besiege by a large crowd of members, who later forced their way into the premises following a closure to help control the influx of the people.
John Uka, a hawker, said the crowd became unbearable for the organizers who had policemen attached to them fire warning shots in the air to disperse them.
The scare shots did not stop the anxious members who eventually broke into the premises and started carting away palliatives leading to a stampede.
About Inksnation (Insmarket)
According to its website, Inksnation, a company owned by Amos Sewanu Omotade (currently on the wanted list of Nigeria’s anti-grafts agency) and Uwa Doris Omotade, operates an online crypto-agency where registered members acquire pinkoin (a purported blockchain currency referred to as RESERVED CURRENCY) by performing some sets of rules including multi-level marketing.
Amos Sewanu Omotade was declared wanted by the EFCC in November over $82,000 crypto fraud.
The Nigerian Security and Exchange Commision (SEC) flagged the products of InksNation, including Pinkoin, as illegal and warned the public about any business dealings with the company.
Omotade posts live videos of instructions for his website on Facebook, advising the government to legalize Pinkoin to allow for easier and faster transactions for his members.
Despite reports of his alleged crimes, many Nigerians continue to patronize the platform.
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