At least three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were feared dead on Friday in a stampede when the students looted rice given for distribution by the government.
The incident occurred at the convocation square, where the bags of rice were kept awaiting Governor Abdullahi Sule’s arrival to commence distribution.
According to a witness, Moses Ajah, the surging crowd of students waiting to enter the square overpowered the security personnel and broke in through the gate, causing a stampede.
“Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice, and as more students got information, the situation degenerated. As we speak, some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school clinic,” he said.
Mr Ajah said some students picked up bags of rice and ran to their hostels and other places of residence even as the governor was yet to arrive to inaugurate the distribution.
Confirming the incident, the National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, Yunusa Baduku, disclosed that most of the students involved in the stampede had been rushed to hospitals in the area for medical attention.
He said, “Seriously, what happened this morning at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is uncalled for, and very pathetic.
“After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the University’s convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security.
“They broke through the gate into the Convocation square where the bags of rice was to be shared.
“Unfortunately, most of our female students sustained several degrees of injuries, while others got suffocated because of the population at the venue for the distribution of the palliatives.
“Right now, I am at the Federal Medical Centrw Keffi, where we brought some of our students for emergency treatment.
“Also, as National President of NASA, I got an official report that one student has died as a result of the unfortunate incident.
“For the numbers of those injured, I cannot confirm that at the moment because some of them are at the school’s clinic while others are here at the FMC, Keffi receiving treatment.”
Baduku, however, commended the university’s management, student leaders and representatives of the state government for their prompt action in assisting the students to get quick medical attention.
“I want to commend the school management, the student leaders and even the state government for standing by us at a time like this. They are all doing their best to address the situation, and to ensure that normalcy returns to the school environment,” he said.
When contacted, Abraham Ekpo, the university’s spokesman, said he was aware of the incident but had not received details about it.
metronetworknews with NAN and punch reports
