Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt six others, police stated on Thursday.

The injured kids were receiving medical attention following the occurrence, which took location on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

“8 persons have actually because been detained for their numerous participations”, authorities representative Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the event 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 “revealed profound unhappiness over the tragic occurrence”.

He used his “sincere acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning households who have lost their beloved kids”.

He urged the “Oyo State federal government to take every necessary procedure to avoid such a tragedy from returning”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the essential actions are a detailed evaluation of all public events’ security measures, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen a number of fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four ladies who had been waiting outside the office of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

“Our hearts stay with the households and enjoyed ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he included.