The wife of Niger state Gov and others injured at pro-Jonathan rally

Many dignitaries including the wife of the Niger State Governor,
Babangida Aliyu, Jumai, were on Saturday injured in Minna, the state
capital when a podium they mounted at a rally in support of President
Goodluck Jonathan collapsed.

Pandemonium ensued at the Minna Trade Fair ground venue of the North
Central rally of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria for
President Goodluck Jonathan as the podium collapsed.
There were about 2000 persons on the platform when the incident occurred.
The stampede that followed saw dignitaries at the event scamper to
safety. However, top government officials at the event escaped unhurt
as they were all protected by their orderlies and escorted to the main
podium to continue in the event.

Our correspondent gathered that the event managers were under the
stand and still fixing some of the scaffolds since they arrived Minna
very late on Friday to mount the stage when the incident happened.

Some of the victims who had various forms of injuries were rushed in
ambulances to the IBB Specialist Hospital; General Hospital, Minna;
Bay Clinic and Top Medical centre.

Among those injured were the wife of the Niger State governor, Jumai
Aliyu and Director General, Public Affairs, Mallam Tanko Dada, who had
a deep cut in his head and was rushed to the Bay Clinic close to the
governor's house in Minna.

As at the time of this report the number of casualties was not known
as security men barred people and journalists from getting to some of
the hospitals and the scene.

One of the victims, Ismail Gambo, said, "I thought it was a bomb
blast, so I had to jump as much as I could but I realised I was
trapped in the stand as many people ran to safety."

However, Governor Aliyu told TAN, "This thing that happened should not
deter you from doing what you came to do, after all Niger State has
over one million signatories for Mr President."

Among those injured, as gathered were a special assistant to Governor
Aliyu who tried to rescue his principal, a state security personnel
who broke his leg.
Many phones (handsets) were seen on the ground as people scampered to safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Gambari, when contacted,
confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the number of
casualties as at the time of this report
Dignitaries present at the rally included the Secretary to the Federal
Government Pius Anyim, Prof. Jerry Gana, Barnabas Gemade, Ibrahim
Mantu, FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide, Sen Philip Aduda,
Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, deputy governors from
Kogi, Benue and Sokoto; Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Bola
Sagaya and Minster of Interior, Abba Moro.