Niger gov’s wife, others injured at pro-Jonathan rally

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Many dignitaries including the wife of the Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, Jumai, were on Saturday injured in Minna, the state capital when a podium they mounted at a rally in support of President Goodluck Jonathan collapsed.

Pandemonium ensued at the Minna Trade Fair ground venue of the North Central rally of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria for President Goodluck Jonathan as the podium collapsed. There were about 2000 persons on the platform when the incident occurred.

The stampede that followed saw dignitaries at the event scamper to safety. However, top government officials at the event escaped unhurt as they were all protected by their orderlies and escorted to the main podium to continue in the event.

Our correspondent gathered that the event managers were under the stand and still fixing some of the scaffolds since they arrived Minna very late on Friday to mount the stage when the incident happened.

Some of the victims who had various forms of injuries were rushed in ambulances to the IBB Specialist Hospital; General Hospital, Minna; Bay Clinic and Top Medical centre.

Among those injured were the wife of the Niger State governor, Jumai Aliyu and Director General, Public Affairs, Mallam Tanko Dada, who had a deep cut in his head and was rushed to the Bay Clinic close to the governor's house in Minna.

As at the time of filling this report the number of casualties was not known as security men barred people and journalists from getting to some of the hospitals and the scene.

One of the victims, Ismail Gambo, said, "I thought it was a bomb blast, so I had to jump as much as I could but I realised I was trapped in the stand as many people ran to safety."

However, Governor Aliyu told TAN, "This thing that happened should not deter you from doing what you came to do, after all Niger State has over one million signatories for Mr President."

Among those injured, as gathered by our correspondent were a special assistant to Governor Aliyu who tried to rescue his principal, a state security personnel who broke his leg. Many phones (handsets) were seen on the ground as people scampered to safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Gambari, when contacted, confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the number of casualties as at the time of filling this report

Dignitaries present at the rally included the Secretary to the Federal Government Pius Anyim, Prof. Jerry Gana, Barnabas Gemade, Ibrahim Mantu, FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, Sen Philip Aduda, Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, deputy governors from Kogi, Benue and Sokoto; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Bola Sagaya and Minster of Interior, Abba Moro.

 PUNCH.

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