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| Dr Bukola Saraki |
Many families in Ilorin and its environs have been thrown into mourning following the death of their loved ones during a stampede on Friday night at Mandate House, Ilorin at the valedictory party for Dr. Bukola Saraki - former Kwara State governor.
There was uncertainty and confusion over the exact number of people that died and those that sustained injuries. While the Kwara State Government said that two people died, the police said they could not confirm the actual number as investigation was still ongoing, according to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ilorin Command, Mr Dabo Ezekiel.
However a witness told some journalists at the stampede venue on Saturday that over 25 people died. The aged woman, who declined to mention her name said her friend, who she also declined to name, died during the stampede, adding that many people sustained injuries.
The corpses of the stampede victims were said to have been deposited at private and government hospitals. The hospitals management decline comments and refused to offer information. A victim who is said to be undergoing treatment is Mrs. Ayoola Anafi
The party, according to Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, was meant to thank the people for their support to the outgoing governor. He said while the governor had left the venue for other pressing state functions, some ‘hoodlums’ who could not gain entry into the venue pulled some of the gates which collapsed on some of those inside and caused a stampede.
Ezekiel said, “The police can confirm that there was a stampede at Mandate House yesterday. But the number of the casualty I can not confirm to you now for the simple reason that investigation is still on going.”
When our correspondent visited the scene on Saturday about 11.30am, many clothes, sandals and left-over food, were seen abandoned at the venue while some people were seen evacuating the seats and other items used for the party.
Meanwhile, Saraki has commiserated with the Peoples Democratic Party in the state over what the government said was the death of two of its members during the stampede.
A statement from Adebimpe, said Saraki expressed shock and sadness over the development, and had directed security operatives in the state to commence full investigation into the sad occurrence.
Saraki was said to have cancelled all scheduled programmes on Saturday following the incident.
In a related development, the state Police command said 2,000 policemen would be on duty on Sunday for the inauguration of the governor’s-elect, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.
| By Success Nwogu | |
| Sunday, 29 May 2011 |
Source : punchng.com
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