10 feared dead in Kwara Sallah tragedy

About 10 people were feared dead while scores were reportedly injured on Wednesday night following a stampede near the Ilofa residence of a former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that no fewer than 10 people were feared dead as a result of the stampede.

The incident happened when some members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state and some other hangers-on were receiving yearly Sallah gifts from the Sarakis and other philantropists at the venue popularly called PDP Charity House.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the victims were allegedly lumped into ambulances and rushed to a nearby hospital.

He said that there were heavy casualties.

Kwara State PDP Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, confirmed the stampede later in a statement.

He, however, said only four PDP members died while many were injured.

Adebimpe said, “The Peoples Democratic Party Kwara State chapter held its annual Sallah celebration at PDP Charity House where many party faithful were in attendance.

“The event which is an annual activity of the party went on smoothly until the unfortunate incident of a stampede, which led to some people fainting. They were immediately rushed to a hospital few blocks away from the venue.

“While some are currently responding positively to treatment, we however regret to announce that we lost four of our party members to the unfortunate development.

“Our prayers go out to the families of the deceased and we pray for the quick recovery of those that are responding fast to treatment,” Adebimpe said.

It will be recalled that similar cases of stampede had occurred in the past at the Mandate House,Ilorin where scores of people died and many were injured.

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