Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture 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 southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has eliminated 35 children and seriously injured six others, authorities stated on Thursday.

The hurt children were receiving medical attention following the occurrence, which took location on Wednesday in city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

“8 persons have actually because been jailed for their numerous participations”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the occasion 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 terrible incident”.

He provided his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their cherished kids”.

He urged the “Oyo State government to take every required step to avoid such a disaster from repeating”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the vital actions are an extensive evaluation of all public occasions’ safety procedures, rigorous enforcement of security guidelines, and routine safety audits of event venues,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several lethal stampedes in recent months.

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

Later that month, another stampede killed four women who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pushed to get hold of 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 condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

“Our hearts stay with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

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