NSUK declares March 26 lecture-free day to mourn students killed in palliative stampede

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has declared March 26th, 2024, as a lecture-free day to mourn the students who lost their lives in a recent stampede during a distribution of palliatives.

This decision was contained in a letter signed by the Registrar, Bala I. Ahmen and made available to DAILY POST.

According to the letter, the period is to let the school management and students take out time to mourn the loss of those who lost their lives during the stampede that occurred on Friday, 22nd March, 2024, as well as pray for the recovery of those with various degrees of injury at the hospital.

“With total submission to the will of the Almighty and a deep sense of sorrow, I write on behalf of the University Management to notify all students that Tuesday, 26th March, 2024 has been declared lecture free in honour of the memories of our dearly departed students, Grace Danladi, a 200-level student of Computer Science and Rose Michael, a 400-level student of Psychology Department, who lost their precious lives on Friday, 22nd March, 2024 during the distribution of palliatives donated by the State Government.

“This period is to enable us mourn our deceased colleagues and pray for all those who sustained various degrees of injuries in the unfortunate incident and are currently responding to treatment.

“May the Almighty God grant the repose of their souls, and the families they left behind the fortitude to bear the painful loss,” the letter reads.

DAILY POST had reported that three students of the State-owned university lost their lives on Friday in Keffi in a stampede during the distribution of rice palliative, while a few others sustained various levels of injuries and are responding to treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Keffi.

The tragic incident occurred when a large crowd of students gathered to receive palliatives, leading to a stampede.

The university authorities have assured that they are working closely with relevant agencies to investigate the incident and prevent such occurrences in the future.