Immigration Recruitment Disaster: Death toll rises to 16

Sixteen persons were confirmed to have died during the nationwide job recruitment test organised by the Nigeria Immigration Service on Saturday.

Mr Abba Moro, the Minister of Interior gave the confirmation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Moro said that in Edo state one female applicant collapsed at the venue of the exercise and was rushed to the hospital where she died.

He said that in Jigawa state a male applicant died in an accident on his way to the venue of the exercise while in Niger two persons died as a result of the stampede.

He said that seven applicants in the FCT died also from the stampede while in Rivers five persons died.

Some applicants sustained injuries during the exercise with some have being treated and discharged while others are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the country.

Mr Mohammed Yekini, brother to one of the deceased, told NAN that he was still waiting for the authorities of the hospital to release the corpse.

Yekini, who is also a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic in Nassarawa state and hails from Okene in Kogi state, lamented the inhuman treatment participants were subjected to during the exercise.

He called on government to show more consideration to the plight of unemployed youths in the country.

He said that the deceased was married with a child.

Another participant of the exercise, Mrs Abigail Aroniya, whose brother is presently receiving treatment at the National Hospital, described the treatment they received during the exercise as inhuman.

Abigail said that most participants arrived the venue at the time slated for the exercise but the gate to the stadium was locked and officials of the immigration service were not there.

She said that when the officials finally arrived everyone tried to struggle into the venue and in the process some persons were pushed down and trampled upon.