Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence happened

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

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

„8 individuals have since been apprehended for their various involvements“, authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the main 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 opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement „revealed extensive unhappiness over the awful occurrence“.

He used his „heartfelt condolences“ to locals, state authorities and the „mourning families who have lost their precious children“.

He advised the „Oyo State federal government to take every necessary procedure to avoid such a catastrophe from reoccurring“, the statement by the presidency included.

„Among the necessary actions are a thorough review of all public events‘ precaution, strict enforcement of security regulations, and routine security audits of occasion venues,“ Tinubu included.

– ‚Rest in peace‘ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands collected free of charge bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to assist pay for food during the month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria faced 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 liked ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,“ Makinde said.

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