The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sokoto State Chapter has urged the state’s security services to look into reports of a stampede at Senator Aliyu Wamakko’s residence.
This is as a senior officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sokoto State command, has confirmed that no fewer than nine persons died including an official of the command while over 30 others sustained various degree of injuries.
According to a statement signed by the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, the party said the incident happened during the distribution of Sallah items by the former governor of the state, Senate Aliyu Wamakko, at his residence.
“We learnt of the very unfortunate stampede at the residence of the Senator Representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, at Gawon Nama area in Sokoto that resulted in the loss of lives and injuries during the distribution of Sallah items to crowds of people.
“We wish to express deep sadness over the incident and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the no fewer than 10 people, who passed away, while praying for the recovery of victims, who sustained injuries at the scene of the regrettable occurrence.
“The PDP however, wishes to call on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, with a view to forestalling the ugly incident in the future.
“This is not the first time it is happening at the same place, due to poor arrangements, without regard to the safety of human lives.
“Our party believes that the people deserve genuine dividends of democracy, that will take them out of poverty, rather than the occasional spray of cash on the street and dehumanizing exercise of sharing out cheap items, at the cost of their safety.”
The party therefore, demanded the payment of compensation to the families of those who allegedly lost their lives and others who were injured during the incident.
Recall that the Senator apart from opening his residence for the less privileged to break their fast also distributed different clothes especially for the less privileged to celebrate the upcoming Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, a senior official of NSCDC in the state command who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity confirmed that no fewer than nine people died in the stampede.
He said the victims also include a female personnel of the corps attached to the residence and eight other persons who allegedly died in the incident.
He also disclosed that more than 30 other persons were currently receiving treatment at the hospital following the unfortunate incident.
Also, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto State command, ASP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the stampede but could not confirm the number of casualties as at the time of filing this report.