Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

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

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

“8 persons have since been apprehended for their numerous involvements”, authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the event 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 opened a probe, Osifeso included.

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

He provided his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their cherished children”.

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

“Among the essential actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety policies, and routine safety audits of occasion venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

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

In March, two students died and 23 were injured after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four women who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 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 pressed to acquire the cash, triggering 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 families and enjoyed ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has actually unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he included.