TheCable

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says the Nasarawa state government must ensure that officials found culpable for the stampede at the state’s university receive the appropriate punishment. 

On March 22, three students of Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) were killed in a stampede that occurred during the distribution of rice donated by the state government.

Several others sustained injuries during the melee.

Akinteye Babatunde, senate president of NANS, said the deaths could have been avoided if those in charge of palliatives distribution had done their jobs properly.

Speaking on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, Babatunde said having recorded successes during the distribution of rice in other tertiary institutions in the state, those in charge let down their guards by not providing adequate security for the distribution at NSUK.

“As an association, we are demanding that the government should investigate the incident. We are also asking the government to hold accountable those who failed to do their job,” he said.

“In a situation like this, if people are not punished, people will be negligent in carrying out their duties.

“We have also requested that the hospital bills of those who are injured should be taken care of by the state government and sincerely, since this incident happened, the government has been cooperating.

“They took responsibility for what happened, they went to the hospital and promised to meet with the parents of those who lost their lives.

“The governor has said there will be an investigation and anyone found wanting will lose his or her job. Students have died. Those who died belong to a family.

“If we just let this incident go like that, it will look as if we don’t have respect for human lives. So, we want them to investigate the incident promptly and ensure that it’s not taking too long. They should also give us a report of the investigation.”

Babatunde said the venue should have been secured.

“When you want to get palliatives, even before the commencement of the distribution, you are to secure the venue very well because aside students, if staff have access to the palliatives, they will want to take advantage of it,” he added.

“Failure to properly secure the venue led to the unfortunate incident.”