Nasarawa State University VC Attributes Fatal Rice Stampede to Students' Impatience
According to Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, the stampede was triggered by impatience among the students, who overwhelmed security personnel and began looting the rice before the orderly distribution process could commence
AKACHI NOEL 
On March 23, 2024, a tragic stampede at Nasarawa State University in Keffi resulted in the death of two students and left 14 others injured. The incident occurred when students, along with some individuals from the surrounding area, rushed to grab bags of rice donated by the state government to alleviate economic hardship. The rice was stored at the university's Convocation square, awaiting distribution by the governor.
According to Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, the stampede was triggered by impatience among the students, who overwhelmed security personnel and began looting the rice before the orderly distribution process could commence. Prof. Mohammed expressed deep regret over the incident, emphasizing that the government's gesture was intended to provide relief to the students during challenging times.
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Despite adequate security measures in place, the sheer volume of students and local residents attempting to access the rice led to chaos and tragedy. Prof. Mohammed urged students to remain calm and cooperate with the investigation into the incident, warning that any further disturbances could result in the university's closure.
Governor Abdullahi Sule had recently provided assistance to students of tertiary institutions in the state, including Nasarawa State University, by distributing rice and cash to alleviate economic hardship. However, the distribution at Nasarawa State University turned deadly as students' impatience led to a stampede with devastating consequences.
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The university community mourns the loss of the two students and extends condolences to their families. Investigations into the incident are ongoing to determine the cause and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
