Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in Nigeria, where the occurrence occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually killed 35 kids and seriously hurt six others, cops said on Thursday.

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

« 8 persons have given that been jailed for their different involvements », authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended 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 « expressed extensive sadness over the terrible occurrence ».

He provided his « heartfelt acknowledgements » to residents, state authorities and the « grieving households who have lost their beloved children ».

He prompted the « Oyo State federal government to take every necessary step to prevent such a tragedy from returning », the declaration by the presidency included.

« Among the vital actions are a detailed evaluation of all public events’ safety procedures, strict enforcement of security guidelines, and regular safety audits of event places, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands collected free of charge bags of rice given out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to assist pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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

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

« Our hearts stay with the households and loved ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, » Makinde stated.

« We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths, » he added.