The tragic event unfolded as hundreds of residents, mostly displaced persons and vulnerable families affected by years of insurgency, gathered at the payment centre in anticipation of receiving a flat-rate cash payment of N28,500
A devastating stampede during a humanitarian cash distribution exercise has left three people dead and 21 others injured in Bama, Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, May 15, 2025, at approximately 8:00 a.m.
The location of the tragedy was Kasugula Primary School, one of the designated centres for the disbursement of financial aid under a programme reportedly facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Among the deceased is a 60-year-old man, Bukar Labddo, a resident of Bukar Tela Ward in Bama town. According to local sources, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the General Hospital in Bama. Two additional victims, whose identities were not immediately disclosed, succumbed to their injuries while receiving emergency treatment at the same facility.
The tragic event unfolded as hundreds of residents, mostly displaced persons and vulnerable families affected by years of insurgency, gathered at the payment centre in anticipation of receiving a flat-rate cash payment of N28,500.
The disbursement was part of a humanitarian relief initiative aimed at alleviating the economic hardship experienced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable populations in the region.
According to Zagazola Makama, a well-known counter-insurgency expert who monitors security developments in the Lake Chad region, the situation escalated when the crowd began to swell beyond control.
As the pressure intensified and people surged towards the entrance of the school compound, panic ensued, leading to a chaotic stampede. Several individuals were trampled underfoot in the crush as others struggled to flee the compacted crowd.
Among the injured are a number of Bama town residents identified as Falmata Alhaji Modu, Falmata Modu, Tella Babagana Tujani, Bulama Yakime, Amina Mohammed, Mallam Akura, Fatima Bukar, Yagana Ibrahim, Fatima Mohammed, Fatima Abatcha, Zara Lawan, Inde Modu, and Aisha Abdullahi. The victims sustained various degrees of injuries, ranging from fractures and bruises to respiratory complications caused by the crowd pressure.
Medical personnel at the General Hospital Bama promptly began administering treatment to the injured, many of whom were transported to the facility by emergency responders and local volunteers. Security forces were also swiftly deployed to the site to contain the situation, disperse the crowd, and facilitate a smooth evacuation of the wounded.
The remains of Bukar Labddo have been released to his family and buried in accordance with Islamic rites. The identities and burial arrangements of the two other deceased victims are yet to be officially released at the time of this report.
Despite the severity of the incident and the involvement of prominent humanitarian organisations, no official statement has been issued by either the International Committee of the Red Cross or UNICEF as of the time of filing this report.
The lack of communication has left many residents and observers seeking clarity on crowd management protocols and safety measures at such critical aid distribution exercises.
Humanitarian efforts in Northeast Nigeria remain vital due to the protracted Boko Haram insurgency, which has left millions displaced, impoverished, and reliant on external aid. However, incidents such as this underscore the urgent need for improved planning, adequate crowd control, and enhanced coordination between aid agencies, security forces, and local authorities to prevent future tragedies.