Victims Of Deadly NIS Stampede Feel The Government Abandoned Them

One month has passed after the deadly stampede at Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) examination centres. Some victims recounted their ordeal in a talk with newsmen on April 16, 2014, Wednesday, noted that they are yet to be compensated and employed, despite all the promises by the Federal Government.

A father of three, Paul Nasiru, lost his wife, Mariam, in the stampede. He said that all the promises made by the government to employ three members of their family were yet to be fulfilled. Paul’s family had to arrange the burial of Mariam at their own costs, without governmental assistance.

An injured NIS applicant, Helen Ademu, narrated that she had sustained injury during the recruitment. Her recovery was going slowly: she had to walk with crutches for three weeks. The lady still needs a job and hopes that the government would finally keep its promise.

Another applicant, Kashim Yakubu, said he was also injured and taken to the National Hospital for treatment by NEMA officials but was later transferred to Asokoro General Hospital.

The man said his name was formerly on the list because he saw it but along the line, it was probably “replaced with another name”. He alleged that there were many irregularities on the side of the hospital staff.

The same applied to another victim, Oluko Caleb, who claimed he was also injured and treated at the National Hospital. His name also ‘disappeared’ in the latest edition of the list. He was yet to get any form for employment.

Many applicants reminded about the issue of non-refunding the registration money.

For jobless applicants losing N1,000 is a big deal.

It would be recalled that the tragedy claimed the lives of about 19 NIS applicants nationwide on March 15, 2014, Saturday. President Goodluck Jonathan had to cancel the immigration recruitment, offered automatic employment to three members of the family of each deceased applicants and all those injured in the stampede.

Source: Legit.ng