The Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti State Command, Michael Falade, has officially ordered a comprehensive investigation into the Ekiti hotel stampede that occurred at the Emirate Hotel in Ikere-Ekiti.
This tragic event, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, April 19, resulted in the deaths of two Bamidele Olumiluwa University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) students and one member of the hotel staff. The local community remains in shock following the incident, which unfolded around 1a.m. after what was intended to be a celebratory weekend.
Understanding the Ikere-Ekiti Police Probe
The Command’s spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, issued a formal statement detailing the initial findings. According to the police, the students had gathered at the venue to celebrate their convocation, which took place on Saturday, April 18. Preliminary reports suggest that the situation escalated rapidly during the late-night party, leading to the fatal crush.
The Ikere-Ekiti police probe is now focused on the timeline of events. SP Abutu explained that the chaos was sparked by a confrontation between individuals at the venue.
“During the party which lasted till the following day, two yet-to-be-identified students had an argument and began to fight. Others around decided to run out of the hotel premises and there was a stampede that claimed the lives of the three persons,” the statement noted.
Status of the Stampede Investigation
The authorities are treating the matter with extreme urgency. The bodies of the three deceased victims have already been recovered. They have been transported to the morgue to undergo a formal autopsy, which will assist investigators in determining the exact cause of death for each individual.
The Commissioner has reached out to the families of those affected, offering his deepest sympathies during this incredibly difficult time. He has also issued a direct appeal to the public to remain calm while the stampede investigation continues.
He assured the residents of Ikere-Ekiti and the university community that no stone will be left unturned concerning the unfortunate incident.
The university administration has yet to issue a formal response, but students are mourning the loss of their peers. The police remain on standby, and further updates are expected as the forensic examination proceeds. For now, the Emirate Hotel premises remain under scrutiny as detectives gather additional evidence to establish the full sequence of events that led to this loss of life.
