Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually killed 35 kids and seriously hurt 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

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

“8 individuals have actually because been apprehended for their numerous involvements”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the occasion 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 added.

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

He used his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning families who have lost their beloved children”.

He urged the “Oyo State federal government to take every essential step to avoid such a catastrophe from repeating”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are a thorough evaluation of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event locations,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

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

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

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist 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 grappled with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

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

“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he included.