Gombe—A tragic stampede at the Gombe main Eid Ground on Sunday morning claimed the lives of two children and left 20 others injured, the Gombe State Police Command has confirmed.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, the incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. at the exit gate of the Eid Ground immediately after the conclusion of Eid prayers.
Cause of the Stampede
Abdullahi attributed the unfortunate incident to a lack of adequate exit access, causing a rush of worshippers, primarily women and children, attempting to leave the venue.
He added that the intense heat further worsened the situation.
Casualties and Medical Response
A total of 22 individuals were affected, with emergency responders rushing them to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
“Regrettably, two of the victims, a four-year-old boy and a six-month-old baby girl, were pronounced dead by doctors while receiving treatment,” Abdullahi stated.
He extended the police command’s condolences to the grieving families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He also urged Eid Ground managers to ensure all entrance and exit gates remain open to facilitate smooth movement after prayers.
Governor Orders Investigation
Meanwhile, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, extending his sympathies to the affected families.
In a statement issued by his media aide on Sunday, the governor ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede to prevent future occurrences.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain a top priority. The state government is committed to learning from this incident and implementing corrective measures,” Yahaya said.
As part of immediate relief efforts, the governor directed that all medical expenses for the injured victims be fully covered by the state government to ensure their swift recovery and well-being.
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