Four persons have died following a stampede during a Ramadan alms-giving exercise in Kofar Guga Quarters area of Katsina State.
The incident occurred on Sunday at the residence of a philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki who was giving out the ill-fated alms with report coy about whether he was personally involved in the act or by proxy.
Anyway, the State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the victims’ deaths.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Abubakar, made this known in a statement he released where he said that several others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment at a medical facility.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen promptly responded to the scene. The rescuers rushed the victims to the nearest hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, four of the injured later succumbed to their injuries,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the command urged philanthropists and organisations planning similar events to notify the police in advance to enable adequate security arrangements.
“The Command calls on individuals who wish to distribute alms to members of the public to notify the Command for adequate security coverage to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as orderliness during such events, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the statement concluded.
