Yohaig NG News

Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows 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 eliminated 35 kids and seriously hurt 6 others, police stated on Thursday.

The injured children 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 main 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 statement “revealed profound sadness over the awful event”.

He provided his “heartfelt acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning households who have actually lost their precious children”.

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from returning”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ security procedures, strict enforcement of safety policies, and regular security audits of event locations,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four women who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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

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

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

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose pleasure has actually unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he included.