Three students of the Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) were feared dead on Friday in a stampede that occurred when the students struggled for rice donated by the state government.
NAN reports that the incident occurred at the convocation square of the university where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of Abdullahi Sule, the state governor, for the commencement of distribution.
Moses Ajah, a witness said the surging crowd of students overpowered the security personnel and broke into the square through the gate, thereby causing a stampede.
He described the incident as very “unfortunate”.
VIDEO: Students reported dead after devastating stampede at Nasarawa State University during rice, palliative distribution pic.twitter.com/VUvoPmT4ij
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“Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice, and as more students got information, the situation degenerated,” Ajah said.
“As we speak, some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school clinic.”
He 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.
As of the time of this report, police officers were seen retrieving the palliatives from students.
Sule recently embarked on a palliative initiative for students of tertiary institutions in the state.
He has visited Federal University, Lafia, College of Education, and Akwanga, among others, where he distributed 7.5 kg bags of rice and N5,000 to each student.
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