Nigeria: Tragedy struck the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as two female students lost their lives in a stampede
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Tragedy struck the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as two female students lost their lives in a stampede that occurred at the university’s convocation square. The incident took place on Friday morning during the distribution of bags of rice as palliatives by the Nasarawa State government to alleviate the suffering of the students.
According to sources within the university, at least 10 other students sustained varying degrees of injuries in the stampede. It was reported that the two female students died due to suffocation caused by the large crowd, and they were later pronounced dead by healthcare workers.
Governor Abdullahi Sule had recently distributed bags of rice weighing 7.5 kg and a cash gift of N5,000 to each student of the Federal University of Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, and the College of Education, Akwanga. The same arrangement was made for the students at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
However, just before the official commencement of the distribution exercise, a large crowd of students stormed the venue and forcefully took away the items. The state government had provided two bags of rice weighing 7.5 kg each and a cash gift of N5,000 for each student.
Yunusa Baduku, the National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASA), confirmed the incident and stated that many of the students involved in the stampede were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. He expressed his disappointment and described the incident as uncalled for and very unfortunate.
Governor Sule, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, expressed shock over the incident and ordered a detailed investigation to identify those responsible. He described the stampede as a needless tragedy caused by suspected hoodlums and misguided students who forcefully gained access to the convocation ground.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Prof Suleiman Bala, revealed that the state government had made arrangements to provide palliatives for 4,000 students, with each student expected to receive two bags of rice and some money. However, due to the impatience of the students, a stampede occurred, resulting in injuries and the loss of two lives.
The university’s management, in collaboration with the state government, has agreed to set up high-powered committees to investigate the incident and make recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future.
