By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

Three persons were confirmed dead and several others injured following a stampede during a humanitarian cash disbursement exercise organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UNICEF in Bama, Borno State.

According to eye witnesses, the stampede occurred on May 15 at about 8:00 a.m. at Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated payment centres in Bama. Beneficiaries had gathered to receive a flat-rate cash assistance of N28,500.

The situation reportedly spiraled out of control as the crowd surged toward the school gate, resulting in a stampede.

Those who sustained injuries include Falmata Alhaji Modu, Falmata Modu, Tella Babagana Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, Inde Modu, and Aisha Abdullahi, all residents of Bama town. Bukar Labddo (60) of Bukar Tela Ward was pronounced dead on arrival at General Hospital Bama.

Hospital said that two additional victims later died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.

The sources said that reinforcement was immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and facilitate the evacuation of the injured to the hospital.

The deceased has been released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. (Zagazola, excluding headline)

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