ABUJA: At least seven people were killed and dozens were injured in Nigeria’s capital here yesterday after thousands of panicked job-seekers stampeded during a government recruitment drive at the national stadium.
Survivors said that thousands had gathered to apply for jobs with the immigration department in the Abuja stadium. One witness said the stampede broke out as applicants surged towards a central stage. They said only one entrance to the 60,000-capacity stadium was open. It was unclear how many people were inside at the time of the crush.
Victims were taken to a public hospital, though many could not be admitted due to lack of capacity, according to hospital spokesman Tayo Haastrup. No official casualty list was given, but witnesses at the scene counted seven dead and dozens injured.
“I cannot even imagine the number of people that stamped on me,” said survivor Rosemary Ogida. “I just remember being picked up by three men.”
Those with stable injuries “will be sent to other hospitals so that we can deal with the numerous injured that continue to arrive,” Haastrup said.
The recruitment drive was being held at several stadiums around the country yesterday. The sheer size of the crowds was a testament to the vast numbers of unemployed in Nigeria, most of whose 170 million citizens live on less than $2 a day, while the country lags behind in key development indicators such as health. AFP
