Three people, including a mother, her daughter and another woman, have died while several others sustained injuries following a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when Governor Umaru Bago reportedly ordered the distribution of N10,000 to youths who had gathered at the Government House to show solidarity with his administration.
Diaspora Digital Media understand that two of the victims, identified as Hulaira and her daughter, Dije, both internally displaced persons from Shiroro Local Government Area, died at the General Hospital, Minna.
The crowd had reportedly besieged the Government House during a rally organised to express support for Mr Bago and dissociate the participants from a planned October 1 protest in Minna.
However, the gathering reportedly turned chaotic after government officials began distributing the N10,000.
The development allegedly triggered a stampede, leaving several people injured.
The incident comes amid growing tension in the state following recent security and social issues, including the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
In a statement, Kayan Bago said youths reportedly linked to plans for the protest had visited the governor at the Government House and pledged their commitment to peace.
“The youths reportedly linked to plans for a protest in Niger State visited His Excellency, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, at Government House and reaffirmed their commitment to peace,” he said.
He quoted the youths as saying: “We are for peace. There will be no protest in Niger State.”
“The message is clear. Let those who have ears listen. Bago Kawai……No Noise, Sai Result,” he added.
Meanwhile, the remains of Hulaira and her daughter, Dije, were buried at the Unguwan Daji Mosque Cemetery in Minna on Wednesday.
Police in Niger State is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.
Three people, including a mother, her daughter and another woman, have died while several others sustained injuries following a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when Governor Umaru Bago reportedly ordered the distribution of N10,000 to youths who had gathered at the Government House to show solidarity with his administration.
Diaspora Digital Media understand that two of the victims, identified as Hulaira and her daughter, Dije, both internally displaced persons from Shiroro Local Government Area, died at the General Hospital, Minna.
The crowd had reportedly besieged the Government House during a rally organised to express support for Mr Bago and dissociate the participants from a planned October 1 protest in Minna.
However, the gathering reportedly turned chaotic after government officials began distributing the N10,000.
The development allegedly triggered a stampede, leaving several people injured.
The incident comes amid growing tension in the state following recent security and social issues, including the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
There is also an ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
Earlier, some of the governor’s aides, including his media relations aide, Alfa Kayan Bago, had urged youths to maintain peace and distance themselves from the planned protest.
In a statement, Kayan Bago said youths reportedly linked to plans for the protest had visited the governor at the Government House and pledged their commitment to peace.
“The youths reportedly linked to plans for a protest in Niger State visited His Excellency, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, at Government House and reaffirmed their commitment to peace,” he said.
He quoted the youths as saying: “We are for peace. There will be no protest in Niger State.”
“The message is clear. Let those who have ears listen. Bago Kawai……No Noise, Sai Result,” he added.
Meanwhile, the remains of Hulaira and her daughter, Dije, were buried at the Unguwan Daji Mosque Cemetery in Minna on Wednesday.
Police in Niger State is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.
