PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness and regret over the loss of lives during the All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Thursday.

Three persons were reportedly killed in a stampede at the rally that held in the Jolly Nyame Stadium Jalingo. In a statement issued later on Thursday, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the stampede was caused by poor crowd management.

“I always feel very sad and distressed when ordinary Nigerians who love me and our party because of what we stand for and have done, make personal sacrifices by taking the pains to show their support, end their lives tragically,” Shehu quoted Buhari as saying.

“I want them to stay alive and witness the dividends of purposeful governance that the APC administration will unfold when they renew our mandate.”

Buhari said he appreciates the massive support he has received all over the country in the course of the campaigns, but called for restraint on the part of his supporters and improved crowd management at rally grounds to avoid such tragic incidences.