Nine persons reportedly died and over 30 others were injured while scrambling for palliatives being distributed during Muslim Ramadan.
The Sokoto State Police Command has said that it has commenced an investigation into the deadly stampede that occurred at Senator Aliyu Wamakko’s house.
Nine persons reportedly died and over 30 others were injured while scrambling for palliatives being distributed during Muslim Ramadan.
A former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, in a post on his X handle on Sunday lamented the situation.
Sani said that what was supposed to be an act of generosity became a tragedy, noting that the desperate economic situation in the country demands caution in the practice of distribution of free food or goods.
“Nine people reportedly died in Senator Wamako’s residence while scrambling for palliatives. An act of generosity that became a tragedy. He is a man of the masses who always opens his doors to the poor.
“I believe this is unintentional, but the desperate economic situation in the country demands caution in the practice of distribution of free food or goods. May their souls rest in peace. Amin,” Sani wrote.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, while also confirming the incident, demanded the payment of compensation to the families of those who lost their lives and others who were injured.
The party said, “We learned of the very unfortunate stampede at the residence of the Senator Representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, at Gawon Nama area in Sokoto that resulted in the loss of lives and injuries during the distribution of Sallah items to crowds of people.
“We wish to express deep sadness over the incident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of no fewer than 10 people, who passed away, while praying for the recovery of victims, who sustained injuries at the scene of the regrettable occurrence.
“The PDP, however, wishes to call on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, with a view to forestalling the ugly incident in the future.
“This is not the first time it is happening at the same place, due to poor arrangements, without regard to the safety of human lives.
“Our party believes that the people deserve genuine dividends of democracy, that will take them out of poverty, rather than the occasional spray of cash on the street and the dehumanizing exercise of sharing out cheap items, at the cost of their safety.”
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the incident but told our correspondent that there was no official casualty figure yet.
Rufai said, “I can confirm that there was a stampede at Senator Wamakko’s residence, but there are no official casualty figures yet. The investigation has started.”
When asked if the former governor, Senator Wamakko would be invited by the police for questioning, the police spokesperson kept mum, saying, “Like I said, the investigation has started. I can’t answer your question now.”