Death toll from Bauchi stampede has risen to seven, say police

The death toll from the stampede that occurred during the distribution of zakat (almsgiving exercise) to residents of Bauchi state, has risen to seven.

Ahmed Wakil, police spokesperson in Bauchi, had confirmed that four women were killed in the incident that occurred at about 10:20 am on Sunday, at the Shafa Holdings Company headquarters along Jos road in Bauchi.

“Today at about 10:20 00 hrs, the command received a distress call at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi by a good Samaritan indicating that five women were brought to the hospital unconscious,” the police spokesperson had said.

“On receipt of the report, the commissioner of police Bauchi state command CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, instructed and directed the area commander and the rapid response squad and Mopol, that is the crowd controlling unit of the command, to mobilise and move swiftly to the scene of the crime.

“On reaching the scene of the crime, they evacuated those people to the hospital where it was confirmed that four among the victims were certified dead by a medical doctor.”

Wakil had also said a 17-year-old girl sustained injuries during the stampede.

Speaking with NAN on Monday, the spokesperson said three more people, all women, have also died.

“The medical doctor at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) confirmed that two more women died at the hospital among those brought for treatment,” he said.

“The other woman was conveyed home by her family, but she died at home. More details will be made available to the public as the command receives them.”