Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence took place

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

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

“8 persons have actually given that been arrested for their different involvements”, authorities representative Adewale Osifeso said 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 included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “expressed extensive sadness over the terrible incident”.

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

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every necessary step to prevent such a disaster from persisting”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the necessary actions are a thorough evaluation of all public events’ security procedures, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of event locations,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four females who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy business person in the northern 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 money, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst recession in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.