At least three people have died and several others sustained injuries following a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night after a large crowd gathered at the Government House amid reports that money would be distributed to people at the venue. The injured victims were taken to the Minna General Hospital for treatment.
The gathering was reportedly linked to youths who had planned to protest over the recent deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the state. According to reports, the youths were invited to the Government House and allegedly asked to suspend the planned protest.
Among those who died were a woman identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat. Both were internally displaced persons from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Hurairat had reportedly relocated to Minna after her husband, Abubakar, was killed by bandits in 2023 along the Allawa-Pandogari Road. The attack and subsequent insecurity forced residents to abandon the community.
Reports indicate that Dije had been visiting her daughter when they heard that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago would distribute money at the Government House. The mother and daughter subsequently joined the crowd.
Mallam Musa Allawa, an IDP from the Allawa community, reportedly said the deceased mother and daughter were scheduled to be buried on Wednesday morning.
Before the incident, some government appointees had posted on social media that youths had gathered at the Government House to show solidarity with Governor Bago.
However, a government appointee reportedly told journalists that the crowd later grew after more people, including women, arrived at the venue following reports that the governor would distribute N10,000 to those present.
The increasing crowd reportedly resulted in a stampede, leading to the deaths and injuries.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the state government would issue an official statement on the incident.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also said he would verify the reports and provide further information.
The incident has raised concerns over crowd management and the circumstances surrounding the reported cash distribution at the Government House, with further details expected from the state government and security authorities.
