Mourning As 3 Varsity Students Die In Food Distribution Stampede (Photo)

It was a tragic scene when three students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, died on Friday in a stampede that occurred when the students struggled for rice donated by the state government.

According to reports, the ugly incident occurred at the convocation square of the university where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of Governor Abdullahi Sule for the commencement of distribution.

While narrating the incident, an eye witness, Moses Ajah, said the surging crowd of students overpowered the security personnel and broke into the square through the gate, thereby causing a stampede, describing the incident as unfortunate.

According to him; “Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice, and as more students got information, the situation degenerated.

“As we speak, some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school clinic,” he said.

_____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.

_____When contacted, the Information and Protocol Officer of the University, Abraham Ekpo, said he was aware of the incident but yet to get the details.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Governor 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.

______At the time of filing this report, police officers were seen retrieving the palliatives from students.(NAN)