Tragically, a stampede at a humanitarian cash distribution exercise in Bama, Borno State, killed three people and injured twenty-one more. The event was coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with Zagazola Makama said the terrible tragedy happened at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated payment centers in Bama, on May 15 at approximately 8:00 a.m. An enormous number of people had converged on the venue in anticipation of receiving the N28,500 in fixed-rate cash assistance.
A stampede occurred as the throng rushed for the school gate, causing multiple injuries and trampled bodies as the number of recipients increased dramatically.
Inde Modu, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Falmata Alhaji Modu, Tella Babagana Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, and Aisha Abdullahi are all citizens of Bama town who were injured in the incident.
When Bukar Labddo, 60, of Bukar Tela Ward, arrived at Bama’s General Hospital, he was declared dead. According to reports within the hospital, two further victims passed away while being treated for their injuries.
As soon as word got out, security guards were sent to the area to help calm things down and get the wounded to neighboring hospitals.
His family can now take possession of his body and bury it in accordance with Islamic law. No official statement has been made regarding the incident by the humanitarian agencies involved.