Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event took place

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

The hurt children were getting medical attention following the event, which took location on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

« 8 individuals have because been arrested for their various participations », authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the event 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 statement « revealed extensive sadness over the terrible occurrence ».

He provided his « genuine acknowledgements » to residents, state authorities and the « grieving families who have lost their precious kids ».

He urged the « Oyo State federal government to take every essential measure to avoid such a catastrophe from reoccurring », the statement by the presidency added.

« Among the necessary actions are an extensive review of all public events’ security measures, strict enforcement of security regulations, and regular security audits of event places, » Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees died and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands gathered for free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 women who had been waiting outside the workplace of a person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to assist spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pushed to acquire the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst financial crisis 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 families and liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, » Makinde stated.

« We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.