Bauchi Zakaat distribution stampede: death toll rises to 7

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The number of people that died from the Zakaat distribution stampede in Bauchi metropolis has risen to seven.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi state police Command, SP Mohammed Wakil who gave an update on the incident on Monday said, seven people died in the stampede that occurred on Sunday.

“These are the number of people that died on the stampede yesterday and have been confirmed by medical doctors”, the PPRO maintained.

He said, “as at the time we gave our report, it was four, but presently we have seven with their names and addresses”.

SP Wakil gave the identities of the dead to include, Aisha Usman ‘f’ aged 13yrs of Gwang Gwang Gwang Bauchi, Sahura Abubakar ‘f’ aged 55yrs of Anguwan Bauchi and Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar ‘f’ aged 43yrs of Kobi Street Bauchi.

Others he said are, Khadija isah ‘f’ aged 8yrs of Karofi Bauchi, Maryam Suleiman ‘f’ aged 20yrs of kandahar Bauchi, Maryam Shuibu f aged 16 years Gwang Gwan Gwan Bauchi and Hassana Saidu f aged 53 years of Dutsen Tanshi Bauchi.

It can be recall that the death followed tragic Zakaat distribution stampede which occurred in the state on Sunday.

The crowd, largely women, old and young, married and unmarried as well as divorcees had gathered at the Jos road headquarters of A.A Shafa Company as early as 7am on Sunday for the distribution of the Zakaat items.

Reports indicated the distribution exercise which started orderly, later turned rowdy in which the people carrying out the task were overwhelmed by the surging crowd.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of horror as people struggled to escape the crush of the crowd, with many trampled underfoot in the frantic scramble to flee the area.