In a tragic incident at a funfair in Ibadan, the south-western Nigerian city, thirty-five children have lost their lives in a crush, with six others hospitalised, the police have confirmed.
The event, advertised as having free entry, drew a massive crowd, far exceeding expectations. As people struggled to gain entry, the overcrowding led to the devastating crush.
According to local residents, over 5,000 children had gathered at the venue, and the stampede occurred as the main organisers arrived to kick off the event. While the full sequence of events leading up to the incident remains unclear, the devastation was immediate.
The incident took place at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Oyo State, located near Nigeria’s economic hub of Lagos. Security forces swiftly responded to the scene, and the event organisers were promptly arrested, as confirmed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries. This is a very sad day,” Governor Makinde said in his statement.
“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added, expressing his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.
The national emergency services have deployed a team to assist those affected by the tragedy. Injured children were quickly transported to local hospitals, where concerned parents were urged to check for missing children.
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Disturbing video footage from the scene showed a large crowd, mostly made up of children, watching in distress as some of the injured were carried away from the open field.
Local media reports identified the event organisers as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, which had hosted a similar event for children the previous year.
The foundation had planned to accommodate up to 5,000 young attendees at this year’s gathering.
According to Oyo-based Agidigbo FM, the organisers promised exciting prizes, including scholarships and other gifts, to encourage attendance.
An investigation into the cause of the stampede has been launched. Governor Makinde stated, “Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable.”
In connection with the event, the police have arrested eight individuals, including the main organiser Naomi Silekunola, a well-known figure in Ibadan.
Following the tragic event at the Islamic High School in Basorun, the Oyo State government confirmed that victims were being treated in hospitals across Ibadan. The authorities are calling on parents concerned about the whereabouts of their children to visit local hospitals.
