No fewer than five persons died on Thursday during a stampede at Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, Taraba State capital, during presidential rally of All Progressives Congress.

An eyewitness, Mr Tanko Yusuf, told one of our correspondents that the stampede happened as President Muhammadu Buhari was entering the stadium and the party’s supporters, locked outside, were trying to catch a glimpse of the President.

 He stated, “I was standing at the popular stand of the stadium when suddenly I saw some people going down and being trampled upon by a mammoth crowd who forced their way into the stadium as the President’s convoy was making its way into the arena.

 “I can’t confirm how many people were killed in the stampede, but many people were rushed into an ambulance and other security vehicles after the incident.”

 Although the state Police Commissioner, Mr David Akinremi, and Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr David Misal, did not respond to calls to their phones, Public Relations Officer of the state Specialist Hospital, Mrs Dorcas Philemon, told journalists that five corpses were brought to the hospital.

 “Five corpses believed to be supporters of All Progressives Congress were brought to the hospital and deposited at the morgue,” she said.

The President, according to a statement by his media aide, Mr Garba Shehu, expressed sadness over the death of the APC supporters.

Buhari was quoted as saying, “I always feel very sad and distressed when ordinary Nigerians who love me and our party because of what we stand for and have done, make personal sacrifices by taking the pains to show their support, end their lives tragically.”

President Buhari called for restraint on the part of his supporters to avoid such incidents at campaign venues.

“I want them to stay alive and witness the dividends of purposeful governance that APC administration will unfold when they renew our mandate,” he said.

Following the deaths, All Progressives Congress, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Issa-onilu, said it was deeply pained by the loss.

The statement read, “Our great party is deeply pained by this painful loss. We pray for the dearly departed and express our deep condolences to their family members, loved ones and the good people of Taraba State.

“We also pray for the speedy and full recovery of our dear supporters who suffered injuries in the sad incident caused by overcrowding.”

The party promised to ensure improved crowd control to avoid a recurrence.

Responding to the tragedy, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Atiku Abubakar, in a statement by his media aide, Mr Paul Ibe, also said he was sad over the tragedy.

He said, “All Nigerian lives matter whether they are of the APC, PDP or any other party.”

Atiku also prayed for strength and comfort for the affected families and for God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

Punch