Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a general 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 eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt six others, authorities said on Thursday.

The hurt kids were getting medical attention following the event, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

« 8 persons have actually since been apprehended for their various involvements », authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration « revealed extensive sadness over the tragic event ».

He used his « sincere condolences » to residents, state authorities and the « mourning families who have lost their beloved kids ».

He urged the « Oyo State federal government to take every needed step to prevent such a tragedy from returning », the declaration by the presidency included.

« Among the important actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular security audits of occasion venues, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students passed away and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with 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 remain with the households and enjoyed ones affected 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 mourning due to these deaths, » he added.