YohaigNG News

Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event took place

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday.

The hurt kids were getting medical attention following the event, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

„8 persons have because been detained for their numerous involvements“, cops representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement „revealed profound sadness over the awful occurrence“.

He provided his „sincere acknowledgements“ to locals, state authorities and the „mourning families who have actually lost their cherished children“.

He advised the „Oyo State government to take every needed step to avoid such a disaster from returning“, the declaration by the presidency included.

„Among the essential actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and regular safety audits of event places,“ Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected for complimentary bags of rice given out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four females who had been waiting outside the office of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the money, causing a stampede, as its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had shared his acknowledgements for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

„Our hearts remain with the households and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,“ Makinde stated.

„We sympathise with the parents whose delight has suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,“ he included.