Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence occurred

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

The hurt children 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 actually since been jailed for their various involvements”, police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

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

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

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement “revealed extensive sadness over the tragic incident”.

He used his “genuine acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning families who have lost their beloved children”.

He urged the “Oyo State federal government to take every necessary step to prevent such a tragedy from returning”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security policies, and regular security audits of event locations,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands gathered for complimentary bags of rice given out 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 rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst recession 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 families and loved ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” said.

“We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.