Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

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

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

“8 persons have actually because been apprehended for their various participations”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said 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 included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement “expressed profound sadness over the tragic occurrence”.

He used his “genuine condolences” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning families who have lost their beloved children”.

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every required step to prevent such a tragedy from persisting”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and regular security audits of event locations,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen a number of fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

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

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria faced 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 enjoyed ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose happiness has unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.