At least three people have been confirmed dead, while several others were injured following a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night when a crowd gathered at the Government House. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Minna.
According to reports, the gathering was linked to efforts by government officials to engage youths who were reportedly planning a protest over the recent deaths of 37 artisanal miners in the state.
Among those confirmed dead were a woman identified as Dije and her daughter, Hurairat, both internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Hurairat’s husband, Abubakar, was reportedly killed by bandits in 2023 along the Allawa–Pandogari Road, forcing Hurairat to relocate to Minna as an IDP after the community was deserted following repeated attacks.
Sources said Dije, who had been living with her husband in Gurmana, was visiting her daughter when they heard reports that money would be distributed at the Government House. The pair subsequently joined the crowd.
An IDP, Mallam Musa Allawa, told journalists that the mother and daughter would be buried on Wednesday morning.
Some government appointees had earlier posted on social media that youths gathered at the Government House to show solidarity with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
A government source, however, said more people, including women, later trooped to the venue after hearing reports that the governor would distribute N10,000 to those present.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the state government would issue an official statement on the incident.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also said he would verify the development and provide further details.
Three die, several injured in Niger Government House stampede