Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, authorities stated on Thursday.

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

« 8 individuals have actually considering that been jailed for their different involvements », authorities representative Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the main 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement « revealed extensive sadness over the terrible occurrence ».

He provided his « heartfelt acknowledgements » to residents, state authorities and the « mourning households who have actually lost their cherished kids ».

He urged the « Oyo State government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from repeating », the declaration by the presidency added.

« Among the important actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and routine safety audits of event locations, » Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered for free bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

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

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst recession in a generation.

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

« Our hearts remain with the households and liked ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, » .

« We sympathise with the parents whose happiness has unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths, » he included.