Police Debunk Reports Of Stampede In Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command has debunked recent media reports alleging a stampede that led to multiple deaths during an alms-giving event in the state.
Several news platforms (not THE WHISTLER) had claimed that the police confirmed the death of seven persons following a stampede at Shafa Holdings Company Plc, located on Jos Road, Bauchi.
According to the reports, the incident allegedly took place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, around 10:20 a.m., during the company’s annual Zakat (almsgiving) exercise meant to assist the less privileged.
The reports further claimed that four individuals were initially reported dead after being trapped while attempting to receive alms.
Three others were alleged to have died, two at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), while the third person reportedly passed away at home after being taken away by family members.
A Daily Post Nigeria report stated that the total number of fatalities had risen to seven.
However, findings by THE WHISTLER revealed that the incident occurred a year earlier.
Channels TV and The Nation Newspaper reported a stampede at the same location on March 25 and March 26, 2024, respectively.
In its 2024 report, Channels TV listed the names of the seven deceased individuals as:
- Aisha Usman, 13 years old, Gwang Gwang Gwang, Bauchi
- Sahura Abubakar, 55 years old, Anguwan, Bauchi
- Aisha Ibrahim Abubakar, 43 years old, Kobi Street, Bauchi
- Khadija Isah, 8 years old, Karofi, Bauchi
- Maryam Suleiman, 20 years old, Kandahar, Bauchi
- Maryam Shuibu, 16 years old, Gwang Gwang Gwang, Bauchi
- Hassana Saidu, 53 years old, Dutsen Tanshi, Bauchi
But speaking with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, the Bauchi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, dismissed the claims outright.
He stated, “There’s no stampede in Bauchi. Anybody that’s speaking to you about a stampede is not telling the truth; they are lying. There’s nothing like a stampede in Bauchi. I’m the Police Public Relations Officer, and I’m telling you that there is nothing like a stampede here in Bauchi.”
Police Debunk Reports Of Stampede In Bauchi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
