Three Killed, 21 Injured in Borno Stampede During Cash Distribution

Tragedy struck in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on Thursday as a stampede during a humanitarian cash distribution led to the death of three people and left 21 others injured. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated centres for the exercise.

According to Zagazola Makama, a publication focusing on counter-insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the disbursement was jointly organised by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The beneficiaries had gathered to receive flat-rate cash assistance of N28,500 when the crowd reportedly surged uncontrollably toward the school gate, resulting in a deadly stampede.

Among the injured are Falmata Modu, Tella Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, Inde Modu, and Aisha Abdullahi.

One of the deceased victims, 60-year-old Bukar Labddo from Bukar Tela ward, was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. The two others died while receiving treatment.

Security operatives were deployed to the scene to restore order. Authorities have since handed over the bodies of the deceased to their families for burial.