Two Students Killed in Stampede During Palliatives Collection at Nasarawa State University

Two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), lost their lives in a stampede while scrambling to collect food items provided by the state government as palliatives to mitigate the economic challenges in the country. The incident occurred on Friday morning at the Convention Square within the university premises. According to sources, the affected students, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, were mainly female. Several others sustained injuries during the stampede, and the exact number of casualties is still unknown.

The National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, Yunusa Yusuf Baduku, confirmed the incident and stated that those injured had been rushed to hospitals in the area for medical attention. Baduku expressed sorrow over the incident, describing it as uncalled for and pathetic. He explained that the students overwhelmed the security personnel and broke into the venue where the food items were to be distributed, leading to chaos and suffocation among the crowd.

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Governor Abdullahi Sule had initiated the distribution of palliatives to students of higher institutions in the state, including NSUK, to alleviate the economic hardships faced by citizens. The distribution included 7.5 kilograms of rice and a sum of N5,000 to each student. However, the distribution exercise at NSUK turned chaotic as students forcefully gained access to the venue, resulting in the stampede.

The state government has yet to provide an official statement on the incident. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the tragic stampede at the university.