Tragedy struck at the Shafa Holdings Company Plc headquarters along Jos Road in Bauchi State on Sunday as a stampede during an almsgiving exercise claimed the lives of at least seven people. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. during the company’s annual Zakat exercise aimed at supporting the less privileged in the state.
Ahmed Wakili, the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the unfortunate event, stating that the situation has been brought under control. He explained that the police received a distress call around 10:20 a.m. from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, reporting that five individuals were brought to the hospital unconscious due to the stampede. Four of them were pronounced dead upon arrival.
Wakili elaborated that the stampede ensued during the distribution of alms by Shafa Holdings Company along Jos Road, leading to the tragic loss of lives. Providing an update on the incident the following day, Wakili disclosed that three more women had succumbed to their injuries. Two of them passed away at the Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, while the third woman died at her residence.
The victims of the stampede were identified as Aisha Usman (13), Sahura Abubakar (55), Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar (43), Khadija Isah (8), Maryam Suleiman (20), Maryam Shuibu (16), and Hassana Saidu (53). The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures during such events to prevent future tragedies.
