Three students of the Nasarawa State University (NSUK), were feared dead on Friday in Keffi due to a stampede while students looted rice palliative meant for distribution to them by the state government.

The incident occurred at the convocation square where the bags of rice were kept awaiting the arrival of Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the commencement of distribution.

According to one student who witnessed the incident, Moses Ajah, the surging crowd of students waiting to enter the square over powered the security personnel and broke in through the gate thereby causing a stampede.

Customs suspends sales of seized rice over stampede, deaths

He described the incident as very unfortunate.

“Some of the students were struggling with the police over the rice and as more students got information, the situation degenerated.

“As we speak some students are injured and receiving treatment at the school,” he said.

He said some students picked up bags of rice and ran to their hostels and other places of residence even as the governor was yet to arrive to inaugurate the distribution.

As at the time of filing this report,  police officers were seen retrieving the palliatives from students.

When contacted, Mr Abraham Ekpo, Information and Protocol Officer of the University, said he was aware of the incident but yet to get details about it.

BRANDPOWER recalls that  Sule recently embarked on a palliative initiative for students of tertiary institutions in the state.

He has  visited Federal University Lafia, College of Education, Akwanga among others where he distributed 7.5 kg rice and N5000 to students.