Three youths have reportedly died in a stampede that allegedly occurred during a late Sunday night Ramadan
food distribution at the Government House, Sokoto. Scores of other injured persons were also said to have sustained various forms of injuries.
Eyewitnesses said that Sokoto state governor, Mr Aliyu Magatakarda held in observance of a key pillar of Islam, decided to dispense Sakat (care for the poor), distributed food and clothing following which the stampede started.
Sources at the Sokoto State specialist Hospital’s Emergency room said that three bodies were deposited in the morgue late Sunday night,. One of the sources was not sure of the exact number of individuals brought to casualty ward of the hospital as he said he could only recall that eight such persons were brought in for intensive care at the casualty ward.
“It was a good at gone awry, explained a government house, pleading anonymity, and that “Governor Magatakarda never meant any harm, there was a crowd surge that was poorly managed”.
High level of social and economic dis-functionalities in Nigeria and religious traditions often produce swarms of destitute in Nigeria. Such poor people survive on hand-outs from the rich.
A similar tragedy occurred in Gushu a few weeks ago. And Sokoto too had another Ramadan tragedy in 2012.