Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event 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 injured kids were getting medical attention following the incident, which took place on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State stated.

„8 individuals have because been jailed for their numerous participations”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary 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 added.

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

He provided his „heartfelt acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the „mourning households who have actually lost their beloved kids”.

He prompted the „Oyo State federal government to take every required procedure to avoid such a disaster from persisting”, the declaration by the presidency added.

„Among the necessary actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of security guidelines, and routine security audits of event venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to help spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had shared his acknowledgements 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,” Makinde said.

„We sympathise with the parents whose happiness has suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.