Governor Abdullahi Sule has promptly reacted to the Stampede that occured at the Nasarawa State University,in Keffi in the early hours of Friday, March 22
This is contained in a statement issued to the Media in Lafia today by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Addra, saying “the Nasarawa state Governor Engr. Abdullahi A.Sule received with shock the the news of a stampede at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi in the morning of Friday 22/03/2024”.
According to the statement “the sad incident 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.”
He said “this misfortune happened only hours before the scheduled official flag off same morning”.
According to the statement “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.”
Citing previous success stories where the distribution took place earlier, it said exercise had been a huge success and peacefully at the 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 Institutions he said included the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa and the College of Health Technology, Keffi.
“Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of two students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime”, he said in the statement.
Governor said “ 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 circumstance is painful”.
The statement further said that the Governor has since directed the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and security agencies to commence 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 anyway will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly”, the Governor is quoted saying.
“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 face by students and the people of the state in general”.