Tragedy in Borno: 1 Dead, 21 Injured in Stampede During UNICEF and Red Cross Cash Disbursement in Bama

 

In a deeply saddening development, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has confirmed the death of one individual and injuries sustained by 21 others following a devastating stampede during a cash transfer programme in Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. The incident occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the KASUGULA Primary School, a location designated for the distribution of financial aid to vulnerable families.

This unfortunate event unfolded during the second phase of a joint humanitarian cash disbursement project implemented by the NRCS in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The aid programme is designed to support families affected by years of conflict in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly in Borno State, which remains one of the regions most impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency and ongoing insecurity.

Details of the Incident: A Desperate Crowd Turns Chaotic

The NRCS, in a statement issued on Saturday, May 17, from Maiduguri—the capital of Borno State—described the incident as “regrettable”, emphasizing that the cash disbursement exercise was initiated to assist with the educational needs of vulnerable families in the region.

According to the NRCS, the second phase of the initiative began on May 14, 2025, and was planned to benefit a total of 8,121 individuals. The financial assistance was being distributed across four key locations in Bama LGA:

• KASUGULA Primary School

• Old Bama Primary School

• Kaigamari Primary School

• Mbusube Primary School

The humanitarian organization noted that the first day of the disbursement went smoothly, with over 1,000 beneficiaries receiving assistance without any incident.

“Over 1,000 beneficiaries successfully received assistance on the first day of distribution without incident,” the NRCS stated.

However, things took a tragic turn on the second day of the programme, particularly at the KASUGULA Primary School venue, where overcrowding led to a stampede. The chaotic situation resulted in the death of one individual and injuries to 21 others, some of whom experienced severe breathing difficulties due to the crush of the crowd.

Medical Response and Ongoing Care

In its official statement, the NRCS clarified that all the injured victims were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital in Bama for urgent medical attention. Four individuals who had difficulty breathing were promptly resuscitated by emergency personnel and remain under close medical supervision.

“All the injured were evacuated to the General Hospital in Bama for treatment,” the NRCS confirmed.

The organization further revealed that those who were resuscitated are in stable condition and are expected to be discharged soon, which comes as a relief to many worried community members and humanitarian partners.

Red Cross Pledges Review of Operational Procedures

In response to the tragic events, the Nigerian Red Cross Society expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased individual. The organization assured the public that it is taking the incident seriously and has promised to review and improve its operational procedures to ensure that such a catastrophe does not occur again in future humanitarian interventions.

“The organisation expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and pledged to review its operational procedures to prevent a recurrence,” the statement read.

This proactive stance by the NRCS reflects its commitment to humanitarian principles and to maintaining the safety and dignity of all aid beneficiaries.

The Humanitarian Cash Disbursement: Purpose and Importance

The cash transfer initiative in question is part of a broader humanitarian effort aimed at enhancing access to education and reducing vulnerability among conflict-affected populations in Borno State. These programmes are particularly vital in areas like Bama, which have been ravaged by over a decade of insurgency, leaving communities displaced, impoverished, and struggling to rebuild their lives.

UNICEF, one of the leading UN agencies for children’s welfare, has partnered with the NRCS in this initiative to help children from disadvantaged and displaced families return to school by providing financial aid for basic educational needs such as uniforms, books, writing materials, and sometimes even meals or transportation.

By targeting over 8,000 vulnerable families in this second phase alone, the programme aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the region—a figure that remains alarmingly high due to conflict, poverty, and displacement.

The Larger Context: Aid Distribution Challenges in Nigeria

Stampedes and crowd-related incidents during aid distribution are, unfortunately, not uncommon in Nigeria and other conflict-affected regions. Factors such as poor crowd control, inadequate security, lack of proper communication, and desperation among recipients often contribute to such tragedies.

In Borno State, where thousands live in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, the demand for humanitarian aid remains critically high. Even though organizations like NRCS and UNICEF work tirelessly to provide relief, logistical challenges and security risks often undermine these efforts.

This latest incident underscores the urgent need for better planning, crowd management, and beneficiary education in future disbursement exercises. It also highlights the importance of community involvement and government support in ensuring the safety and efficiency of humanitarian operations.

Conclusion: A Call for Safer Aid Distribution Practices

The incident at KASUGULA Primary School is a stark reminder of the complexities involved in delivering humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas. While the intention behind the cash disbursement programme was noble—to uplift vulnerable families and promote education—the unfortunate loss of life and injuries show that even well-meaning initiatives can turn tragic if proper safeguards are not in place.

As Nigeria continues to recover from years of insurgency and displacement, humanitarian organizations, government agencies, and local communities must work together to ensure that relief efforts are conducted in a safe, orderly, and dignified manner.

We at NaijaRush will continue to monitor this story and provide updates on the outcomes of the NRCS operational review, the condition of the injured victims, and any new measures introduced to prevent future incidents.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.