APC rally stampede: FG consoles victims’ families

ON Sunday, a Federal delegation was in Jalingo, Taraba State, to pay condolences to the families of the eight who lost their lives in a stampede on February 7 during the APC Presidential rally in the capital.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who hails from Adamawa, led the condolence visit. The eight dead hailed from different parts of Taraba but the bereaved families received the condolence party at the Jalingo residence of one of the victims, the late Safiya Haruna Ardo.

The late Safiya Ardo, 54, is survived by a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army.

Addressing the bereaved families and sympathizers, Boss Mustapha said they were in town to show sympathy and condole with the families of those who died in the Jalingo incident.

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He said the President promised to ensure that their sacrifices for democracy would not go in vain. If re-elected, continued Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari will implement policies and programs that will impact the ordinary Nigerian.

He described the deaths as painful, but prayed God to grant the departed eternal rest and give the families they left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Some of the bereaved, who spoke to our Correspondent, thanked President Buhari for his show of concern, which they described as the first of its kind in the history of Taraba State.

The delegation which also included Gov Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla of Adamawa, Federal Capital Minister Muhammad Bello, Sen. Ali Ndume, presidential aide Femi Adesina, and Sheik Ali Fantami had paid condolences to Gov Darius Ishaku of Taraba and Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Tafida. They also visited other victims who were hospitalised at Jalingo.