Two University Students Feared Dead In Rice Stampede

Two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were feared dead on Friday in a stampede that erupted when the students struggled for rice donated by the state government. The occurrence took place at the convocation square of the university where the sacks of rice were stored awaiting the arrival of Governor Abdullahi Sule for the commencement of distribution.

The Federal Medical Centre, Keffi confirmed the death of two students in the Friday rush to loot bags of rice brought by the Nasarawa State Government.

The hospital also confirmed that 14 others were injured when the students overpowered security men at the gate and swooped on the rice as the governor was being awaited to start the sharing process.

Dr Ahmed Kana, Head of Clinical Services of the institution, confirmed the casualty figure in an interview with newsmen.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abdullahi Sule recently embarked on a palliative initiative for students of tertiary institutions in the state to alleviate their hardship.

Students of Federal University, Lafia; College of Education, Akwanga; and College of Agriculture, Lafia had benefited from the initiative and the state university was to take its turn on Friday.

Details of the initiative showed that each student was expected to receive a 7.5 kg bag of rice and N5000 cash.

The governor was scheduled to extend the same gesture to the university students on Friday, but before he arrived, some students went to the convocation square and looted the rice which led to the fatal stampede.

According to Kana, the two students confirmed dead are females while 13 of the 14 wounded casualties are equally females.

“Only one of the injured students is a male.

“For now, most of them are stable and we are resuscitating others. By God’s grace, some of them will go home very soon,” he said.

He appreciated the effort of the security agencies in the handling of the situation.

“They did a good job. They handled the situation appropriately.

“What is important for us now is to treat the emergency cases and ensure there is no more fatality. We can later call the management of Nasarawa State University to discuss the matter,” he said.