The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has confirmed that one person died and 21 others were injured in a stampede during a cash disbursement exercise in Bama Local Government Area, Borno State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at KASUGULA Primary School—one of the designated centers for the second phase of a humanitarian cash transfer program jointly organized by the NRCS and UNICEF.
In a statement released on Saturday in Maiduguri, the NRCS described the incident as unfortunate. The cash transfer program aims to support vulnerable families in three LGAs by improving access to education.
The second phase, targeting 8,121 beneficiaries, began on May 14 across four schools in Bama: KASUGULA, Old Bama, Kaigamari, and Mbusube Primary Schools. According to the NRCS, the first day of the exercise went smoothly, with over 1,000 beneficiaries receiving assistance.
However, overcrowding at the KASUGULA center on the second day led to a stampede. One person died, and 21 others were injured—four of whom had breathing difficulties but were resuscitated and are now in stable condition at the General Hospital in Bama.
The NRCS expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and said it would review its procedures to prevent future incidents.
The cash program is part of broader efforts to help conflict-affected communities in Borno by reducing vulnerability and promoting education.