Following the early morning stampede at the State Varsity Keffi, Governor has ordered a temporary halt of the exercise at the Institution which was scheduled to hold today, Friday, March 22
The early hour stampede is said to have occurred following the invasion of the University Convocation Square venue of the exercise by yet to be identified persons to cart away the rice package
Krestnews reports that the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State Dr. Emmanuel Akabe confirmed the incident while speaking to journalists shortly after a meeting with authorities of the university at the office of the Vice Chancellor.
Dr. Akabe said after visiting the Federal Medical Centre Keffi where two female students of the Nasarawa State University Keffi were brought dead and others with critical conditions and are undergoing treatment, he was told the incident occurred early Friday morning at the Convocation Square where students forced one of the gates open to cart away with the four thousand bags of seven kg rice meant for distribution as palliatives.
According to him the two students lost their lives as a result of the stampede that ensued, regretting that it occurred at a time efforts were being made to commence the flag off of the distribution of palliatives in the school.
While noting that government has taken over all medical expenses of those injured, While assuring that proper investigation into the matter leading to the stampede and the removal of the bags of rice from the venue of the exercise by students.
Dr. Akabe who also undertook an on the spot visit to the convocation square equally sympathised with the students and the family that lost their loved ones, describing the action which led to the stampede as most unfortunate and condemnable.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed while addressing the students sued for calm as the management of the school and the government look into the matter to avert a reoccurrence, just as the President of the Student Union Government, Abdullahi Ari appealed to government not to handle the issue with kid cloves.