By GAMBO ARABART, Lafia

Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has expressed shock over the news of a stampede at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi in the morning of today (Friday) which resulted to the dead of two students.

A press statement Issued to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ibrahim Adara, quoted him as saying: “The sad incident occurred when suspected hoodlums and some misguided students forced their way into the school convocation ground to cart away the rice kept at the venue meant for distribution to students as palliative.

“This misfortune happened only hours before the scheduled official flag off.”

“Engr. Sule had come up with the widely applauded initiative to distribute rice and N5,000 cash each to students in all tertiary institutions in the state.

“Such distribution was a huge success and peacefully carried out Federal University, Lafia, Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, the School of Nursing, Lafia as well as the College of Education, Akwanga.

Others are the Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa and the College of health Technology, Keffi,” Adara added.

He said: “Governor Sule deeply regrets the tragic death of two students of the institution in this needless stampede motivated by crime as well as pray for souls to rest in peace.”

According to the statement, “The Governor has since directed the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and security agencies to commence immediate investigation into the unfortunate occurrence with a view to unveiling those behind it.

“Those found to be involved in anyway will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.”