by Kolapo Olapoju

It’s been over seven months since the National Immigration Service tragedy occured around the nation, and several of the victims suffer still.

Some of the victims of the 15 March Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment stampede in Benin, Edo, have accused President Goodluck Jonathan of not implementing the compensation promised to them.

At the exercise in the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, 18 people died, while over 20,000 applicants were injured in the stampede, which was replicated in all the exercise centres nationwide.

Following the tragedy, President Jonathan had directed that three employment slots be given to each of the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede while those who sustained injuries be given employment.

Some of the victims organised a protest in Benin on Tuesday, 14 October, where they lamented the fact that they were yet to receive any of the promises made by the President.

They protesters appealed to the Federal Government to fulfill its promise. One of the victims, Timothy Omoagbon, said things have been tough for his family since the death of his wife.

He said, “I saw my wife lying down on the ground after she collapsed in the stadium. It took the efforts of immigration officials to revive her. But later she started coughing out blood and couldn’t breathe very well.”

“We went to the NIS but they told us that they were waiting for directive from Abuja and would let us know when they get it. But we have not heard anything till now. We are appealing to President Jonathan to fulfil his promise,” Omoagbon added.

Kolapo Olapoju