An unconfirmed number of students from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, have been reportedly killed in a stampede while struggling for rice meant to be distributed as palliative by the state government.
Reports say at least three students lost their lives in the incident.
According to NAN, the event occurred at the university’s convocation square, where the sacks of rice were stored awaiting the arrival of the state governor, Abdullahi Sule, to begin distribution.
The students allegedly broke into the warehouse where the food items were stored to be distributed Friday morning, overpowered the institution’s security at around 5 a.m., and forced their way into the warehouse, rushing for palliatives.
A witness, Moses Ajah described the incident as very “unfortunate”. He claimed that some students grabbed bags of rice and ran to their hostels and other places of living while the governor was still on his way to commence the distribution.
Sule recently launched a palliative effort for students attending tertiary institutions in the state.
He has visited Federal University, Lafia, the College of Education, and Akwanga, among others, and donated 7.5 kg sacks of food and N5,000 to each student.
Melissa Enoch
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