Four crushed to death in Kogi stampede for palliatives

Four persons were feared to have died on Sunday afternoon in Kogi as hundreds of residents stormed a warehouse in Lokoja in search of COVID-19 palliatives.

The warehouse, located along the Murtala Mohammed Way, close to Kpata the market was reportedly invaded as early as 7am on Saturday through Sunday, mostly by the women.

The fatalities, it was gathered, resulted from stampede by residents who rushed at the government warehouse.

The State Government had last week commenced distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to the 21 local government areas.

Each local government area got at least one trailer load of palliative items, including rice, semovita, indomie noodles and pastas in 10 kilogram packs.

The siege on the warehouse, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with an order by Governor Yahaya Bello the remaining items be distributed to people.

A source, who claimed to have been at the scene, told The Nation the casualties were recorded despite warnings by security personnel deployed to the area the residents should maintain the peace and avoid anything that may lead to stampede.

Some of the women,who spoke with our correspondent, confirmed they were there in response to the Governor’s directive that the remaining items be distributed to them.