30 unemployed Nigerians die in stampede to immigration centre.

Nigerian jobseekers trampled to death
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:13:24

At least 30 people have died in a rampage as jobless Nigerians stormed the country's immigration center in hopes of finding employment.

An application sent out by the office earlier drew thousands of aspiring Nigerian youths to the center's different office branches across the country. Some of the victims were said to have keeled over and died after trying to run two to three kilometers in excruciating heat. "After struggling through school, you have unemployment staring you in the face, and when you finally think succor has come to provide you with employment, the recruitment leads you to your grave," Daily Trust quoted the sister of one of the victims, Ramatu Mohammed Barakallahu, as saying. Despite Nigeria's huge oil reserves, rampant corruption and unemployment have effectively turned Nigeria into an economic basket case.

HN/JC/BGH