By Njideka Ozoalor
Unspecified number of people have been feared dead during the Bikers/ Exotic Cars Parade, which is part of the events leading to Wednesday’s Carnival Calabar.
Unconfirmed number are believed to have also sustained various degrees of injuries.
Reports reaching our Naija Now Correspondent covering the event in the ancient city said the incident happened about one hour after the commencement of the event.
It was gathered that a vehicle which was not accredited to take part in the parade lost control and rammed into spectators at the Bogobiri axis of the Carnival route, inhabited mainly by the Hausa/Fulani natives.
The affected persons were immediately rushed to the Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar amidst intense mourning. The disaster brought the event to an abrupt end.
Few minutes after the incident, the Hausa/Fulani inhabitants of the said area were said to have violently reacted to the development but the situation has been brought under control with the deployment of the army from the 13th Brigade of the Nigerian Army as well as the detachment of riot police to the area.
Tear gas was freely used to disperse the angry crowd even as fun lovers had to scamper for safety.
Meanwhile, Governor Ben Ayade, who was not physically present at the venue of parade flag off, has expressed sadness over the incident.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Barrister Christian Ita said Governor Ayade is devasted by the incident and has directed security agencies to apprehend the motorist who is believed to be on the run.
While sympathising with the victims of the accident and their families, the governor, according to the statement, ordered an immediate investigation to unravel how the motorist was able to get through security barricades to have access to the routes which were closed to the public.
Ita said the Governor directed the immediate discontinuation of the Bikers parade in honour of the victims of the accident.
Governor Ayade while promising to ensure the culprit is arrested and brought to book, however, sued for calm.
(CROSSJOF Media)
