By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that the number of people who were killed in the stampede that occurred on Sunday during the zakaat sharing of N10,000 by a Bauchi based philanthropist, the Chairman of AYM Shafa group of companies have risen to seven.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, had said that medical doctors confirmed four people dead.
The crowd, largely women, old and young, married, unmarried and divorces had gathered at the Jos road headquarters of the Company as early as 7am on Sunday for the distribution of the Zakaat items.
It was reliably gathered that the exercise started smoothly as the beneficiaries were called in groups to received the items until the others became restless and apprehensive leading to struggle to get in to the main premises.
It was also gathered that it was in the process that a stampede ensued as the women tried to force themselves inside; “in the process, many of them fell on the ground and were trampled upon leading to the casualties,” a source said.
According to sources, they were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi for medical attention where those who died were confirmed dead.
While confirming the development to journalists on Sunday, Wakil had said that the Command received a distress call from ATBUTH on the people being rushed there for medical attention.
According to him, “On receiving the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed immediately directed for urgent action directing for mobilization of personnel to the scene for action.
“On getting to the scene, the Police operative joined in the rescue operations, cordoned off the area in order to prevent further casualties while the exercise was stopped.”
He added that: “The victims were rushed to the ATBUTH unconscious after which a Medical Doctor confirmed that Four of them were dead. Others including a 17 year old girl are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”
The PPRO also said that the Command frowns at such development which put the lives of people at risk considering the present economic situation in the country.
He added that the Command is appealing to individuals and organisations that have plans of embarking on such to adequately inform the Command in order to mobilize personnel to the venue for effective crowd control.
However, in a WhatsApp message to journalists on Monday morning, Wakil said that the number had risen to seven.
There have been conflicting figures in the number of casualties during the stampede but in the new update, the Police said that medical doctors confirmed seven dead, saying they are all women including an eight year old child.
He said: “These are the number of victims confirmed dead by medical doctors: Aisha Usman, female (13) of Gwang Gwang Gwang Bauchi; Sahura Abubakar, female (55) of anguwan Bauchi; Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar, female (43) of kobi Street Bauchi and Khadija isah, female (8) of karofi Bauchi.
“Others are: Maryam Suleiman, female (20) of kandahar Bauchi; Maryam Shuibu, female (16) Gwang Gwan Gwan Bauchi and Hassana Saidu, female (53) of Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi.” P
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