Mother And Daughter Die In Niger Government House Stampede Over Bago's ₦5000

A mother and her daughter have reportedly died in the stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna on Tuesday, and at least three people are confirmed dead from the incident. They were among residents who gathered to collect ₦5000 being distributed by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, according to SaharaReporters. Six other youths are said to be in critical condition in emergency.

Hauwa Muhammad Kuta, who said she lived near the victims, confirmed the deaths in a social media post. "I just lost my neighbour and her mother," she wrote. A source close to the state government who was present at the event said the governor gathered youths at the Government House amid plans for a fresh protest in Minna over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody. "They left the Government House gate open, everywhere was choked," the source said.

When contacted, Niger State Police Command spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun advised SaharaReporters to contact the governor's press secretary to verify the development. "Get the press secretary (to the governor) to verify," Abiodun said. The question now is whether the state will accept responsibility for a crowd that gathered at its own gate, or whether this too will be swept quietly aside.