Two students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi have died yesterday while scrambling to collect food items donated to them as palliatives by the state government.
The head of medical services at the Federal Medical Center, Keffi, Dr Usman Ahmed, said 17 students, mostly females, were injured in the incident and are receiving medical attention at the facility.
The national president of Nasarawa State Students Association, Yunusa Yusuf Baduku, confirmed the incident but could not confirm the number of casualties.
“After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security guards.
“They broke through the gate into the Convocation Square where the bags of rice were to be shared.
“Unfortunately, most of our female students sustained injuries while others got suffocated because of the population at the venue.
“For the numbers of those injured, I cannot confirm that at the moment because some of them are at the school’s clinic while others are here at the FMC, Keffi receiving treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Sule has expressed shock over the development, describing it as unfortunate.
A statement by his chief press secretary, Ibrahim Addra, the said the governor deeply regrets the death of the two students.
He quoted the governor praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
“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,” he said.
According to the statement, Governor Sule has since directed the authorities of the university, and security agencies to commence immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence with a view to unveiling those behind it.
The state government commenced the distribution of 7:5 kilograms of rice to students across institutions located in Lafia, the state capital on Tuesday. It was gathered that the sum of N5,000 each amounting to N35 million were also handed along with the items.
