Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

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

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the incident, which took place on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

“8 individuals have since been apprehended for their numerous involvements”, authorities Osifeso stated 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 declaration “expressed profound unhappiness over the terrible incident”.

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

He urged the “Oyo State government to take every needed step to prevent such a catastrophe from repeating”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine safety audits of occasion places,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice handed out 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 wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help spend for food throughout 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 actually shared his acknowledgements for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.