NIGERIA 2015: Anyim, ministers, governors escape death as TAN stage collapses in Minna

 

There was panic in Minna, Niger State on Saturday as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, governors and ministers escaped death as a part of the podium, hosting the top government officials, collapsed during the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria -- a group rooting for President Goodluck Jonathan re-election in 2015 -– rally in the state. The podium which according to reports was hurriedly constructed at the

Some of the victims, who sustained injuries, were rushed to the IBB Specialist Hospital, General Hospital, Minna, Bay Clinic and Top Medical centre. Among the injured included the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajia Jumai Aliyu, and Director General, Public Affairs, Mallam Tanko Dada, who had a deep cut in his head. It was also learnt that also injured were Mallam Suleiman, Special Assistant to Governor Aliyu, who tried to rescue the Governor while an operative of the State Security Service allegedly broke his leg. 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 so many people were scrambling for safety.” However, Niger
State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, asked TAN not to be discouraged by the incident. “This thing that happened should not deter you from doing what you came to do,” Aliyu said.

Trade Fair ground for the North Central rally gave way while the ceremony was underway. The podium caved in at about 11.53am, with a few minutes left for goodwill messages, according to repors from Punch. Anyim, Maku, Moro, others escaped unhurt as they were all protected by their orderlies and escorted to the main podium to continue the event. It was gathered that the event managers were still under the podium, at the time of the incident, fixing some of the scaffolds having arrived in Minna late on Friday to mount the stage.

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