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Sad as two Nasarawa varsity students die in palliative distribution stampede

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By our reporter, Lafia

Two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) have lost their lives and 17 others injured in a stampede during palliative distribution by the state government.

Dr Ahmed Kana, the Head of Clinical Medical Services, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, confirmed the death to newsmen.

According to Kana, two female students were confirmed dead while out of the 17 injured students brought to the medical centre, only one was a male.

“For now most of them are stable and we are resuscitating others and by God’s grace some of them will go home very soon.

“What is important for us now is to treat the emergency cases and ensure there is no more fatality,” he said.

Recall that Governor, Abdullahi Sule had visited Federal University Lafia, College of Education, Akwanga, College of Agriculture, Lafia among others and distributed 7.5 kg rice and N5000 cash to students to cushion the economic hardship been experienced across the country.

The governor was scheduled to extend similar gesture to students of NSUK on Friday but even before his arrival, students had visited the location of the palliative at the university convocation square and looted the palliative resulting in the stampede.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Suleiman Bala, expressed shock over the tragic incident.

Addressing the press, Bala lamented the loss of lives, describing the day as a sombre one in the annals of NSUK’s history.

He said that the state government had provided palliatives consisting of two bags of rice accompanying monetary assistance to over 4000 students.

He, however, said the distribution process was marred by impatience, resulting in the stampede and subsequent casualties.

Governor Abdullahi Sule, in press statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Adra, expressed profound shock and sadness over the tragic stampede that occurred at NSUK.

The statement said the Governor had directed the authorities of the University and security agencies to commence immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence with a view to unveiling those behind it.

The statement read in parts,” Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of two students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime.

“Such distribution was a huge success and peacefully carried out Federal University, Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, the School of Nursing, Lafia as well as the College of Education, Akwanga.

Governor said “ 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 at their prime under such circumstance is painful.”

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