A tragic stampede at the residence of the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, on Thursday night has left one person dead and six others injured, casting a somber mood over Gusau, Zamfara State.
Security sources confirmed that the incident erupted around 7:30 p.m. when an overwhelming crowd surged forward to welcome the minister, triggering chaos that quickly spiraled out of control.
Among the victims was 23-year-old Khalifa Uzairu, who was pronounced dead on arrival at Farida General Hospital. Others injured in the rush—Ayuba Sani, Muhammadu Adams, Aliyu Aminu, Shaaban Hamisu, and Inusa Musa Shehu—were swiftly evacuated to the hospital for urgent medical treatment. Hospital officials say all surviving victims are currently in stable condition.
Security operatives have since cordoned off the area to restore order, while a formal investigation has been launched to uncover what led to the deadly crush and whether negligence or poor crowd control contributed to the tragedy.
Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious and adhere strictly to security directives during official visits and events to avoid similar incidents.
What was meant to be a warm reception for a top government official has now become a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of uncontrolled crowds.
