The palliative distribution was organised by a philanthropist in the area.
The police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who gave an update on the development in a statement on Sunday in Onitsha, said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede are receiving treatment.
He said that Itam sympathised with the families and friends of the deceased, while wishing those injured quick recovery.
He said that investigation into the unfortunate incident was ongoing, adding that the command remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people during and after the festive period.
X users on Saturdayshared the stampede happened at an annual Christmas event organized by Obi Jackson, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Nestoil.
In a two-minute-long video of the incident trending on X, a male voice who was behind the camera and spoke in Igbo language said that the stampede happened on Saturday morning and killed residents including pregnant women.
He noted that the victims’ bodies were being filmed at the Lady’s Mortuary in the Ihiala area.
“This is our Lady’s Mortuary in Ihiala, these are the people that died at Obi Jackson’s home this morning, people that went to collect rice,” he said.
“Look at the dead bodies of people who came for rice. They are still bringing in more bodies. They came in this morning. Even pregnant women were among them.
