At least three people have died and several others injured in a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna, following a chaotic gathering that turned violent on Tuesday night. The incident occurred as a large crowd converged on the government premises, drawn by reports that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago would distribute N10,000 to attendees. The stampede led to tragic loss of life, with victims including a woman identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, both internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.
The gathering was initially linked to efforts by state officials to engage youths who had been planning a protest over the recent deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the state. However, the situation escalated when rumors spread that financial assistance would be given out, prompting more people—including women and children—to rush to the venue. The surge in crowd size overwhelmed security measures, resulting in the stampede that left multiple casualties.
Among the deceased, Hurairat’s husband, Abubakar, was reportedly killed by bandits in 2023 along the Allawa–Pandogari Road. His death forced Hurairat to flee her home and seek refuge in Minna as an IDP after repeated attacks rendered her community uninhabitable. Dije, who had been living with her husband in Gurmana, was visiting her daughter when they heard about the distribution of money and joined the crowd, tragically losing their lives in the chaos.
Mallam Musa Allawa, another IDP, confirmed that the mother and daughter would be buried on Wednesday morning. He expressed deep sorrow over the incident, highlighting how vulnerable populations like IDPs are often caught in such tragedies despite not being directly involved in protests or political rallies. The incident has sparked concern among residents and civil society groups about the safety of public gatherings and the need for better crowd management by authorities.
Some government appointees had earlier shared posts on social media claiming the youth were gathering to show solidarity with Governor Bago. However, sources revealed that the crowd grew significantly after rumors of cash distribution circulated. This misinformation likely fueled the panic and contributed to the stampede.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, stated that the state government would issue an official statement soon. Meanwhile, SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, said he was verifying the details and would provide further updates. The police are expected to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
This tragedy underscores the risks associated with unregulated public gatherings and the importance of accurate information dissemination. As investigations continue, questions remain about how such incidents can be prevented in the future, especially in areas already strained by insecurity and displacement.
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