A stampede during a cash disbursement exercise in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State has left one person dead and 21 others injured, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) confirmed on Saturday.
The tragic incident happened on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at KASUGULA Primary School — one of the sites for the second phase of a humanitarian cash transfer programme jointly organised by the NRCS and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The programme is aimed at supporting the education of vulnerable families affected by conflict in the state. It targets over 8,000 beneficiaries in Bama’s four locations: KASUGULA, Old Bama, Kaigamari, and Mbusube Primary Schools.
According to the NRCS, the first day of disbursement on May 14 went smoothly, with more than 1,000 beneficiaries receiving cash without incident. However, on the second day, overcrowding at KASUGULA Primary School led to a stampede.
“One person lost their life, and 21 others were injured. Four of them who had breathing issues were revived and are now stable,” the NRCS said in a statement. All injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Bama for treatment.
The Red Cross expressed deep regret over the incident and sent condolences to the bereaved family. It also promised to review its procedures to ensure safety in future distributions.
The cash support programme is part of ongoing efforts to improve access to education and reduce hardship in areas affected by insurgency and displacement in Borno State.