Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed grief over the deaths of three people in a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night after a large crowd gathered at the Government House amid reports that ₦10,000 would be distributed to those present. Several other people were also injured and taken to the Minna General Hospital for treatment.
Among those reportedly killed were a woman identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, both internally displaced persons from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Hurairat’s husband was reportedly killed by bandits in 2023, after which she relocated to Minna as an internally displaced person.
Reacting to the tragedy on Wednesday, Atiku commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for those injured in the incident.
“Three Nigerians reportedly went to a Government House and did not return home. I mourn them with their families. I pray for those who were injured and call for their immediate care,” he said.
Atiku said the reports that people rushed to the venue over the possibility of receiving ₦10,000 highlighted the financial pressure facing many Nigerian households. He, however, stressed that government assistance should be organised in a manner that protects the dignity and safety of beneficiaries.
He called on the Niger State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and provide a clear account of how the gathering was organised and managed. He also urged the government to support the families of the deceased and those injured in the stampede.
The former vice president further cautioned against blaming the victims for seeking assistance, saying attention should instead be focused on determining how the incident occurred and preventing a recurrence.
The Niger State Government has indicated that it would issue an official statement on the incident, while the state police command said it was verifying the reports.