Police confirm 4 women dead in Bauchi Zakaat collection stampede

No fewer than four women have been confirmed dead at the venue of the distribution of Zakaat by a Bauchi based philanthropist, the Chair­man of AYM Shafa Group of Companies.

According to reports, crowd, largely women, old and young, married, un­married and divorcees had gathered at the Jos road headquarters of the compa­ny as early as 7a.m on Sun­day for the distribution of the Zakaat items.

It was gathered that the exercise started smoothly as the beneficiaries were called in groups to receive the items until the others became restless and appre­hensive leading to struggle to get into the main prem­ises.

In the process, a stampede ensued as the women tried to force themselves inside while in the process, many of them fell on the ground and were trampled upon leading to the casualties.

They were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospi­tal (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical attention where those who died were con­firmed dead.

While confirming the development, state Police Command PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili, said that the com­mand received a distress call from ATBUTH on the people being rushed there for medi­cal attention.

According to him, “On receiving the distress call, the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, immediately directed for urgent action directing for mobilisation of personnel to the scene for action.

“On getting to the scene, the police operatives joined in the rescue operations, cor­doned off the area in order to prevent further casual­ties while the exercise was stopped.

“The victims were rushed to the ATBUTH uncon­scious after which a medical doctor confirmed that four of them were dead. Others including a 17-year old girl are currently receiving treatment at the hospital”, he PPRO said.

According to him, the command frowns at such development which puts the lives of people at risk consid­ering the present economic situation in the country.

He added that the com­mand is appealing to indi­viduals and organisations that have plans of embark­ing on such to adequately in­form the command in order to mobilise personnel to the venue for effective crowd control.

All efforts to get official confirmation and reactions from the management of AYM Shafa on the develop­ment proved abortive as no official was available to talk to journalists at the office. (Independent)