IMMIGRATIONS RECRUITMENT: Seven Feared Dead, Many Injured In Stampede in Abuja (SEE PHOTOS)

Today a large number of applicants across the country stormed different centres to write the aptitude test for the Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS). However there are reports that stampede in the Abuja centre left at least seven people killed and dozens injured during a government recruitment drive in the national stadium on Saturday.

Applicants had together gathered in the Abuja stadium to write the aptitude test to apply for jobs with the immigration Service. Apparently according to an eyewitness the stampede broke out as applicants rushed towards a central stage, since it was only just one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium that was open. Although It wasn’t clear how many people were inside at the time of the crush.

The hospital spokesman, Tayo Haastrup who confirmed the incident said “The immigration service was having a recruitment exercise at the stadium … there was a stampede and they brought the victims to the national hospital. Those with stable injuries “will be sent to other hospitals so that we can deal with the numerous injured that continue to arrive”.

Although there is no yet an official casualty list, however, an AFP journalist on the scene counted seven dead and dozens injured. Many injured people could not be admitted to hospital due to lack of capacity.

Apparently according to an eyewitness the stampede broke out as applicants rushed towards a central stage, since it was only just one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium that was open.

The hospital could not admit many of those injured due to lack of capacity. It has also been reported that a similar incident occurred in the Port-Harcourt centre with one person feared dead and many rushed to the hospital as a result of exhaustion.