In this still image taken from video, a policeman searches through shoes and belongings left behind during a stampede in Port Harcourt. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
LAGOS - A STAMPEDE at a political rally killed 11 people and injured dozens more as President Goodluck Jonathan spoke, highlighting the insecurity in Africa's most populous nation as it prepares for national elections in April.
Authorities in this volatile West African giant often have little training in crowd control, and militants already have attacked one event attended by the president in recent months. Western nations hope Nigeria's elections will be calm: The country is a top supplier of easily refined crude oil to the US.
As Jonathan began his speech on Saturday at the soccer stadium in Port Harcourt, some attendees tried to leave to beat the traffic out of the stadium, while others pushed their way inside to hear his speech, said Ibim Semenitari, a Rivers state government spokesman.
Eleven people died in the crush, Rivers state police spokesman Rita Inoma-Abbey said. Ms Semenitari said at least 46 others had sought treatment at hospitals.
On Sunday, authorities in southern Nigeria said they were setting up an investigative panel to look at the cause of the stampede at the political rally.
Political parties often pay the unemployed to attend such events to swell numbers, while organisers often hand out free hats and shirts to attendees - a valued gift in a country where most earn less than US$2 (S$2.56) a day. -- AP
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