Saharareporters earlier reported that some female students of the university were feared dead after a stampede at the school’s convocation square on Friday, during the distribution of palliatives to the students.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has expressed grief over the tragic death of two students of the State University, Keffi in a stampede during the distribution of palliatives.
Saharareporters earlier reported that some female students of the university were feared dead after a stampede at the school’s convocation square on Friday, during the distribution of palliatives to the students.
Several other students were said to have sustained varying degrees of injury as a result of the stampede.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Governor Sule directed the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and security agencies to commence an immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence to unveil those behind it.
The governor in a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, said he received with shock the news of the stampede, which reportedly occurred when suspected hoodlums and some misguided students forced their way into the school’s convocation ground to cart away the rice kept at the venue and meant for distribution as palliatives to students.
According to the statement, this incident happened only hours before the scheduled official flag-off the same morning.
Addra said that his principal had come up with the widely applauded initiative to distribute rice and N5,000 cash each to students in all tertiary institutions in the state.
"Such distribution was a huge success and peacefully carried out at 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. Others are the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa and the College of Health Technology, Keffi," he said.
Confirming the death of the students, the CPS said “Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of two students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime. which was caused by a needless stampede motivated by crime”.
He quoted the governor as saying, “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 circumstances is painful’”
He said the governor had since “directed the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and security agencies to commence an immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence with a view to unveiling those behind it".
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe has also visited the university on a fact-finding mission. He also visited those who sustained injuries.
Those found to be involved in any way will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly, the government said.
“The Governor urges for calm while insisting that the Nasarawa State Government under his leadership will not be distracted but continue with the distribution of palliatives towards ameliorating the hardship faced by students and the people of the state in general,” the statement added.