Four killed in Bauchi stampede during cash distribution

Tragedy struck in Bauchi yesterday when four people lost their lives at the distribution of cash gifts to less privileged people by a philanthropist and businessman along Bauchi-Jos Road.

It was gathered that the stampede happened at about 10:00 am on Sunday when the crowd, largely women and youths, gathered at the venue to collect the annual cash gifts usually given by the philanthropist. The crowd had gathered as early as 6:00am to queue. The incident occurred when the people who thronged the gate scampered to collect the money ranging from N5,000 to N10,000.

The Bauchi Police Command said that four people lost their lives in the incident. But eyewitnesses said the number was more.

When The Guardian visited the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, a 17-year-old girl, Naima Abdullahi, was receiving medical treatment. “She has been convulsing since she was brought to the Trauma Centre of the Hospital,” the Public Relations Officer of the Hospital, Usman Abdullahi Koli said.

He said that the Hospital received some emergency cases but the number of people who died cannot be immediately ascertained. “Yes, some have died while some are currently receiving treatment,” he said.