Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has eliminated 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, cops said on Thursday.

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

“8 individuals have actually because been detained for their numerous participations”, 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “expressed extensive unhappiness over the tragic incident”.

He offered his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “grieving households who have actually lost their cherished children”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every required step to avoid such a disaster from repeating”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are an extensive review of all public events’ security procedures, rigorous enforcement of security policies, and regular safety audits of event places,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were injured after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 females who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the money, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a generation.

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

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

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he included.