Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph 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 of Ibadan has eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt 6 others, police said on Thursday.

The hurt children were getting medical attention following the incident, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

“8 individuals have given that been jailed for their numerous involvements”, police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

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 added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “revealed profound unhappiness over the terrible incident”.

He used his “heartfelt condolences” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning households who have actually lost their beloved kids”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every necessary measure to avoid such a disaster from reoccurring”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the vital actions are an extensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of occasion venues,” 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 crushed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 females who had been waiting outside the office of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst economic crisis in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain with the families and liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose happiness has all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he included.