The Nigerian government confirmed on Sunday that a total 16 people died in stampedes as nearly one million Nigerians turned up for the Immigration Service job screening at different centers across the African country.
"Seven applicants died in Abuja. One female applicant collapsed at the venue of the exercise and was rushed to the hospital where she died," Interior Minister Abba Moro told reporters in Abuja.
He said that in Jigawa State a male applicant died in an accident on his way to the venue of the exercise while in the central Niger State two persons died as a result of a stampede.
"Five also died from the stampede in Rivers state," Moro confirmed.
Up to one million Nigerians had turned up for the Immigration Service job screening at different centers across the country.
The Immigration Service has less than 5,000 openings.
Moro said he has visited the victims of the Abuja stampede, who are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital.
While some victims have been treated and released from the hospital about 11 are still on admission, he added.
"I promised that the ministry and the service will do everything possible to ameliorate the consequences of what happened yesterday," said the interior minister.
At least 54 percent of Nigerian youths, 68 percent females and 32 percent males, are unemployed, according to the National Bureau of Statistics data released at the end of 2013.
Nigeria's Coordinating Minister of the Economy said last year that 6 million jobs were being created through different initiatives.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
