LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was plunged into mourning on Friday as a stampede during a rice distribution event that resulted in the loss of two lives and left 14 others injured.
Professor Suleiman Bala-Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of the university, attributed the tragic incident to impatience on the part of the students.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the stampede occurred as students and hoodlums rushed to grab bags of rice that were donated by the state government to alleviate economic hardship.
The rice had been stored at the institution’s convocation square in anticipation of distribution, with Governor Abdullahi Sule expected to oversee the process.
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However, chaos erupted when students and unauthorized individuals overwhelmed the security personnel at the gate, flooding into the square and scrambling to seize the rice. In the ensuing stampede, many individuals were knocked down and trampled, leading to the casualties.
Reacting to the incident, Professor Bala-Mohammed expressed regret over the loss of lives and injuries, emphasizing that the government’s gesture was intended to provide relief to the students amidst prevailing economic challenges.
He underscored the need for patience and adherence to the distribution process, noting that the reckless behavior of some students tarnished the university’s reputation.
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The Vice Chancellor assured the university community of a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede, urging students to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities. He warned against further disturbances, emphasizing that any breach of peace would warrant the closure of the university.
Contrary to allegations of inadequate security, Bala-Mohammed stated that sufficient security measures were in place during the event, including the presence of military personnel and officers from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He emphasized the importance of awaiting the findings of the investigation panel before drawing conclusions about the cause of the chaos.
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Governor Sule had previously extended assistance to students of tertiary institutions in the state, including the distribution of rice and cash.
However, the intended distribution at Nasarawa State University turned tragic as students’ impatience led to the deadly stampede, casting a shadow over the relief efforts.
In response to the incident, a student who preferred to remain anonymous stated, “We were all desperate for the rice, but the chaos got out of hand. It’s devastating to see lives lost over a simple distribution event. We need better organization and security in such situations to prevent such tragedies.”