The authorities of Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State have confirmed a stampede that led to several students being injured on Thursday, as exclusively reported by the Niger Daily News.
The school clarified that contrary to our earlier report, the stampede was caused by a missing food flask, purse and other items.
It would be recalled that NDN reported that scores of students were injured when the Man O’ War Brigade in the school clamped down on students over missing items, leading to many students being injured.
In a message to the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association of the state, Dr Philip Ileleji, the principal, Mr E.T. Inegbenoise, said: “The stampede was caused by a teacher who gave a command to the Man O’ War at the first gate.”
The principal revealed that the command was given without clearance from the Chief Security Officer, identified as Bala, adding that the recipient of the authorised command sparked the stampede by trying to implement it.
“However, VP ACAD noticed the commotion from her house and quickly stepped in and immediately called the CSO too.”
The principal clarified that the issue was not a laptop but about a bag containing a food flask and other items.
“The staff in Home Economics class gave her bag and food flask to a student at the car park to drop in her office, till the closing time she did not see the food flask and the bag that contains power bank, purse and other lady’s items.”
Ileleji revealed that he had warned the paramilitary group against taking orders from staff on matters that could affect about half the school’s student population.
The principal apologised to the traumatised students and parents of the school, pledging that there would not be a repeat of the unfortunate incident.
He said, “I told the staff that such misdemeanour would not be tolerated again. I have also reprimanded the staff involved.
“My dear parents, we are indeed very sorry for the unnecessary stampede,” the message concluded.
