Seven people lost their lives in a devastating stampede that occurred on Sunday during an almsgiving exercise at the Shafa Holdings Company Plc headquarters on Jos Road in Bauchi State. At the time of the unfortunate incident, the company was conducting its annual Zakat exercise, which aims to assist the less privileged in the state.
The police public relations officer assured the public that the situation had been stabilized. He explained that the distress call received from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital alerted them to the incident. The Commissioner of Police, Musa Mohammed, promptly directed the area commander to the scene of the tragedy.
Wakili confirmed that five people were brought to the hospital unconscious, and unfortunately, four of them were pronounced dead by medical professionals. The Zakat exercise, organized by Shafa Holdings Company along Jos Road, was identified as the main cause of the stampede.
Three more women tragically lost their lives, according to a Punch News update on Monday. Three of them died at home, and two of them died at the Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital. These are the names of the deceased victims: Maryam Suleiman (20) from Kandahar Bauchi; Maryam Shuibu (16) from Gwang Gwan Gwan Bauchi; Hassana Saidu (53), from Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi; Aisha Usman (13), Sahura Abubakar (55), and Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar (43), Kobi Street Bauchi; Khadija Isah (8), Karofi Bauchi.
The community is in mourning following this tragic incident, which also raises questions about safety protocols during similar gatherings. It is anticipated that the authorities will carry out a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the causes of the stampede and to avert similar incidents in the future, guaranteeing the safety and security of citizens during humanitarian operations.
