A tragic stampede at the main Eid-el-Fitr prayer ground in Gombe state has left two people dead and 20 others hospitalized, police confirmed.
According to Buhari Abdullahi, spokesperson for the Gombe Police Command, the incident occurred at the exit gate shortly after prayers as worshippers attempted to leave the venue.
According to him, the stampede was triggered by inadequate exit access, leading to a rush of people, mostly women and children, trying to leave, adding that the intense heat worsened the situation, resulting in panic and overcrowding.
“22 persons were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“Tragically, a four-year-old boy and a six-month-old baby girl did not survive, as doctors pronounced them dead while receiving treatment.”; He stated.
The Gombe Police Command has urged prayer ground managers to keep all exit gates open to prevent future stampedes. The command also extended condolences to the grieving families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed his condolences to the victims' families and ordered a thorough investigation to prevent a recurrence.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain a top priority,”; Yahaya said in a statement released by his aide.
The governor also announced that the state government would cover all medical expenses for the injured.
