The incident occurred on Saturday morning. A number of residents had gathered on a sports field, where the local church King’s parish had promised support to the poor.
The food distribution should have started at nine o’clock, but many arrived at the place several hours earlier, reports AP.
Several dead and injured
Police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko in the state of Rivers in the south of the country confirmed on Saturday afternoon that 31 people had died. According to the AP, at least seven people must also be injured.
The event was canceled and local authorities are now investigating the incident.