A tragedy occurred at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where two students lost their lives during a struggle for food aid. The palliative was provided by the state government to help citizens cope with the economic hardship in the country.
In addition to the two deaths, several other students were reportedly injured during the stampede at Nasarawa State University. The incident occurred at the school’s Convocation Square on the morning of Friday, March 22. Eyewitnesses say that the students were struggling to access limited food supplies when the stampede began. The wounded students were rushed to the school’s medical center and local hospitals for treatment.
Just days before the incident, the state governor, Abdullahi Audu Sule, had launched a palliative program that provided two bags of rice and ₦5,000 in cash to students of tertiary institutions in the state. The palliative program was meant to help students cope with the country’s economic hardship.
In an apparent disregard for the school’s instructions, some students decided to line up early to receive the palliative before the convocation ceremony. As a result, the distribution of aid quickly became chaotic and resulted in the deadly stampede.
In a video that was seen online, a large group of students stormed the Convocation Square, where the palliative items were stored. They rushed into the area in a way that caused the crowd to panic and stampede.