The palliative distribution exercise by Governor Abdullahi Sule administration in Nasarawa State took a tragic turn at the Convocation Square of the State University in Keffi yesterday as two female students died in stampede while 17 others were badly injured.
The Nation gathered that Governor Abdullahi Sule has been distributing palliatives to students of all tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State, and the process was seamless until the unfortunate incident at Nasarawa State University Keffi.
It was gathered that the distribution of rice and some cash to about 4,000 students of the university was scheduled for 10am yesterday but some students mobilised and stormed the venue where the items were kept between 3 am and 4 am and started looting the items.
Two female students died in the resultant stampede while 17 others were seriously injured.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, the governor was quoted as deeply regretting the tragic death of two students of the institution “in this needless stampede motivated by crime”.
“I pray their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends at this moment of grief. These young people’s lives cut short in such circumstances is painful,” he added.
The governor has since directed the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and security agencies to commence immediate investigation into the incident with a view to unveiling the brains behind it.
Speaking to journalists while confirming the tragic incident and casualty figure, the head of medical services at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Dr Usman Ahmed, said the students were impatient.
Ahmed said: “They were rushing and in the process there were stampede and casualties.
“I just came out of the emergency ward of the FMC and I saw everything live there. Most of the casualties were females.
“Most of the casualties were females, and so far, they have brought two that are dead, and the deceased two are also females. So we are doing our best to resuscitate some of them.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, who rushed to the university on the instruction of the Governor to visit the scene and get firsthand information, described the situation as unfortunate.
The Deputy Governor, who met with the management of the university and the Students Union Government (SUG), assured that the university would set up an investigative committee to look into the immediate cause, and those found culpable would face the law.
He said the distribution of palliatives to students had gone seamlessly in all the tertiary institutions across the state until the turn of the state university.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Sulieman Bala Mohammed, said “the university will set up a committee to investigate this matter, so that we look at those directly responsible. And if we find them culpable, they will be sanctioned appropriately”.
