Dogara calls for probe of Calabar viewing centre tragedy

Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, has urged the Cross River state government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of football fans in Calabar.

The speaker expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident which led to the death of football fans in a viewing centre.

In a statement issued by Turaki Hassan, the speaker’s special adviser on media and publicity, Dogara called for a probe of the incident with a view to holding responsible anyone found wanting.

The speaker condoned with both the families of those who lost their lives and the survivals of the incident who were still receiving treatment.

“My heart goes out to the families of football fans who died in the incident at the viewing centre,” he said.

“At this moment, my thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, survivors, the government and good people of Cross River state following this sad incident.

“It is my ardent hope that survivors are receiving adequate care, and the state government is taking the necessary steps to avoid a recurrence of such a sad incident,” he said.

He prayed that God will comfort all the families who had been thrown into mourning and to grant the souls of the dearly departed perfect peace.

Many football fans lost their lives in a viewing centre in Calabar on April 20.

The fans were electrocuted after a high tension electric pole fell on the building while they were watching the UEFA Europa League quarter-final match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.