by Zara Mustapha

A stampede reportedly occurred during the screening of fresh students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), leaving scores of students injured and one rumored dead.

According to reports, the stampede began when newly admitted students were attempting to force their way into the premises of the hall where the screening exercise was taking place.

A UNIBEN security personnel was alleged to have forcefully closed the gate against the students causing some to fall and hundreds of them marching those who were on the ground.

The Nation reports:

When our reporter visited the university Wednesday morning, it was observed that thousands of the applicants who besieged the Akin Deko auditorium-venue of the screening were still at the two gates leading to the premises to the hall.

It was observed that the iron barricade of the western gate is turned and broken and almost to the ground, even as students still held on to it as they try to get their way into the hall.

One of the applicants who gave her name simply as Osas for fear of been victimized, described what happened as “horrible and hellish.”

“It was a terrible thing and so serious. It began when the students were attempting to enter into the hall and the security men said no. It was then that some of the students attempted to force their way into the place and the security men forcefully closed the gates on them. That is how hundreds of them fell, some this side and others that side.

“Those who got up marched on those still on the ground to get out of the confusion. Several people who were injured were rushed to the hospital, but am not sure anyone died, though many of them were seriously injured,” Osas said.

Meanwhile the University’s Public Relations Officer, Barr. Harrison Osarenren, denied that  nobody died at the screening