Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a general 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 children and seriously injured 6 others, cops said on Thursday.

The hurt children were getting medical attention following the occurrence, which happened on Wednesday in city, Oyo State Police Command said.

“8 persons have because been detained for their numerous involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the event 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 declaration “revealed profound sadness over the awful event”.

He provided his “genuine acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their precious children”.

He urged the “Oyo State federal government to take every essential step to prevent such a tragedy from returning”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the essential actions are a detailed review of all public events’ safety steps, rigorous enforcement of safety policies, and routine security audits of occasion venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

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

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

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

“Our hearts stay with the households and enjoyed ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.