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 took place

A stampede at a school funfair in the city of Ibadan has killed 35 kids and seriously injured 6 others, police stated on Thursday.

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

“8 individuals have since been jailed for their numerous participations”, authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those detained was the primary 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

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

He offered his “genuine acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “grieving households who have actually lost their precious children”.

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every required measure to avoid such a disaster from repeating”, the statement by the presidency included.

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

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of deadly stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice handed out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 women who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst recession in a generation.

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

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

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose pleasure has actually all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.