Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
No fewer than 23 persons have died in a stampede during distribution of relief materials to Nigerian refugees in Niger Republic by officials of Borno State Government.
The stampede occurred at MJC Boys and Girls Club, a local arena in Diffa, Northern province of Niger, some Borno officials told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity.
Nigeria shares border with Niger Republic in the northern part of Borno State.
“The process of distribution was ongoing when the incident occurred. Many people were rushing and the situation was difficult to control,” another source said.
The source said victims included 19 Nigerien and four Nigerians from Borno State.
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum kicked off the distribution exercise to the Nigerian refugees at Arena Des Traditionnels, a sporting centre in Diffa, Niger yesterday and later departed for Maiduguri, Borno’s capital.
About 120,000 civilians fled their homes in the northern part of Borno to neighbouring Niger Republic in the wake of Boko Haram attacks between 2014 and 2015.