The death toll from a stampede at a Zakaat almsgiving event in Bauchi state has risen to seven, with three additional women reported dead. The incident occurred during the distribution of Zakaat items at the Shafa Holdings Company plc headquarters along Jos Road, where a Bauchi-based philanthropist was distributing the items.
According to reports, the distribution was initially smooth, with beneficiaries, mostly women, called in groups to receive items. However, restlessness among others led to a struggle to gain access to the premises, resulting in the stampede.
Bauchi State Police Command's spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakili, provided an update on the incident, stating that two more women died at the Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), while the third woman died at home. The casualties were identified as Aisha Usman, Sahura Abubakar, Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar, Kobi Street Bauchi, Khadija Isah, Maryam Suleiman, Maryam Shuibu, and Hassana Saidu, all from various locations in Bauchi.
The tragic incident has highlighted the need for better crowd control measures during such events to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
