The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the death of two children following a stampede at the state’s main Eid ground.
DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the command’s spokesperson, stated on Sunday that the incident took place around 10:45 a.m. at the exit gate, shortly after the Eid prayers concluded.
He explained that the stampede occurred due to limited exit routes, leading to a surge of people, mainly women and children, trying to leave at the same time.
The extreme heat further worsened the situation.
According to him, 22 individuals were affected and were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Sadly, a four-year-old boy and a six-month-old baby girl were pronounced dead while receiving medical attention.
The police extended their condolences to the grieving families and advised Eid ground organizers to ensure that all entrance and exit gates remain open to facilitate a smooth flow of people.
In response to the incident, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed his condolences to the affected families.
In a statement released by his media aide, the governor ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the stampede to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
He emphasized that the safety of residents remains a top priority and assured that the state government would cover all medical expenses for the injured to support their recovery.
Prompt news