‘Needless stampede’ — Abdullahi Sule mourns students killed during rice distribution

Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, has mourned the death of three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

On Friday, three students of the institution were killed in a stampede that occurred during the distribution of rice donated by the state government.

Ibrahim Addra, media aide to the governor, in a statement, said his principal received the news of the incident with shock.

“The Nasarawa state Governor Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has received with shock the news of a stampede at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi in the morning of Friday 22/03/2024,” the statement reads.

“The sad incident is reported to have 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 meant for distribution as palliatives to students.

“This misfortune happened only hours before the scheduled official flag-off the same morning.

“Engr. Sule had come up with the widely applauded initiative to distribute rice and N5000 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, Nasarawa and the College of Health Technology, Keffi.

“Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime.

“The Governor has 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 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.”