Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

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

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

“8 individuals have considering that been arrested for their different participations”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended 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 opened a probe, Osifeso included.

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

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

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every essential measure to avoid such a disaster from returning”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the important actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security policies, and regular security audits of occasion locations,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen a number of fatal stampedes in recent months.

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

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich businessman in the city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had 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 moms and dads whose joy has actually unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.