A tragic incident occurred at the Niger State Government House in Minna, where a stampede broke out during a solidarity rally for Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. According to eyewitnesses, the rally was initially a spontaneous show of solidarity for the governor, but it turned chaotic when rumors spread that money was being shared. The situation quickly spiralled out of control, resulting in a stampede that claimed several lives.
An eyewitness, Abu Zakeri, described the scene as chaotic, with people rushing to get into the Government House premises. He stated that three people had died and scores were injured, with many rushed to the hospital within the Government House. Zakeri noted that the rally was not organised, but a spontaneous show of solidarity for the governor, which was hijacked by some politically motivated youths seeking to disrupt the state’s peace.
Another eyewitness, Maryam Ahmed, corroborated Zakeri's account, stating that rumors of money being shared had drawn her and others to the Government House. She described the situation as chaotic, with some people dying in the stampede. Ahmed identified a woman and her daughter as among those who lost their lives, and stated that they were buried at the Muslim burial ground in Angwan Daji.
The stampede occurred on Tuesday between 7pm and 8pm, shortly after the APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, visited the governor to commiserate with him over the death of 37 miners. According to accounts, the situation became uncontrollable after the governor came out to address the crowd, but could not get them to listen and subsequently returned inside.
Despite efforts to control the crowd, the situation continued to deteriorate, even as rain began to fall. The police had not officially confirmed the number of deaths recorded in the incident as of the time of filing this report. However, it was gathered that several people were feared dead, with women among those most affected by the stampede.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Wasiu Abiodun, said he had no record of the incident at the Government House. Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information, Mr Obed Nuhu Nana, and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, were unsuccessful, as they were said to be in a “crucial meeting” at the time of filing this report.
The incident has raised concerns about crowd control and safety measures at public gatherings in the state. The government has yet to officially comment on the incident, but it is expected that an investigation will be launched into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
Key points
- A mother and daughter were among those who died in the stampede at the Niger State Government House.
- The stampede occurred during a solidarity rally for Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, which turned chaotic when rumors spread that money was being shared.
- The incident has raised concerns about crowd control and safety measures at public gatherings in the state.
