A stampede during a humanitarian cash distribution in Bama, Borno State, has left three people dead and 21 others injured.
The tragic event occurred on the morning of May 15 at around 8:00 a.m. at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated distribution centres for the exercise organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF.
Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that the incident unfolded when a large crowd gathered to receive a flat-rate cash assistance of N28,500. As the number of beneficiaries swelled, panic erupted when the crowd surged toward the school gate, leading to a chaotic stampede.
Several individuals were trampled and sustained injuries. Those identified among the injured include Falmata Alhaji Modu, Falmata Modu, Tella Babagana Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, Inde Modu, and Aisha Abdullahi— all residents of Bama.
One of the victims, Bukar Labddo, 60, from Bukar Tela Ward, was confirmed dead on arrival at the General Hospital in Bama. Hospital sources later confirmed that two other victims died while receiving treatment for their injuries.
Security forces were promptly deployed to restore order and facilitate the evacuation of victims to nearby medical facilities.
The body of the deceased has been handed over to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
As of the time of filing this report, the humanitarian agencies involved have not released an official statement concerning the incident.
