The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that three additional women have passed away due to a stampede at an almsgiving Zakat event, bringing the total number of deaths to seven.
The stampede took place around 10 a.m. at the Shafa Holdings Company Plc headquarters along Jos Road on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of four women.
Reports indicate that a large crowd, mostly women, had gathered for the distribution of Zakaat items provided by a philanthropist based in Bauchi.
The distribution started smoothly, with beneficiaries calling in groups to collect items. However, restlessness, among others, caused a commotion as they tried to enter the premises.
Providing an update on the situation, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakili, revealed in a phone interview on Monday that two more women passed away at the Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), while the third woman died at home.
He gave the names of the casualties as Aisha Usman, aged 13; Sahura Abubakar, aged 55; Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar, aged 43; Kobi Street Bauchi; Khadija Isah, aged 8; and Karofi Bauchi.
The rest are Maryam Suleiman, aged 20, of Kandahar Bauchi; Maryam Shuibu, aged 16, of Gwang Gwan Gwan Bauchi; and Hassana Saidu, aged 53, of Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi.
“These are the number of victims confirmed dead by medical doctors. More details will be made available to the public as the command receives them,” he stated.
