The Gombe State Police Command has called on the management of the Gombe main Eid Ground to take necessary precautions to ensure safety at future events following a stampede that occurred after the Eid prayers.
The incident, which took place around 10:45 AM at the exit gate of the venue, resulted in 22 people being affected.
A large crowd, predominantly women and children, rushed to exit in haste, compounded by intense heat, leading to the unfortunate stampede.
A swift response by authorities saw ambulances from the Gombe State Government House evacuating 15 victims to Zainab Bulkachuwa Hospital, while seven others were transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, for medical treatment.
In a show of compassion, the Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has pledged to cover the medical expenses for all those receiving care.
Sadly, two individuals, 4½-year-old Aisha Salisu Ahmed and 4-year-old Maryam Abdullahi Gwani, succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
In their statement, “the police command extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery to the injured.”
Authorities have highlighted that the stampede was caused by limited exit access, which hindered the smooth and safe departure of the crowd.
The police urged the management of the venue to ensure all gates remain open after prayers to facilitate a safe and orderly movement of worshippers in future events.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.