Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a basic 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 killed 35 kids and seriously hurt 6 others, cops said on Thursday.

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

„8 persons have actually since been arrested for their numerous involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those detained 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 opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement „expressed extensive sadness over the tragic incident”.

He offered his „genuine acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the „mourning families who have actually lost their precious children”.

He urged the „Oyo State government to take every essential step to avoid such a tragedy from repeating”, the statement by the presidency added.

„Among the necessary actions are a comprehensive review of all public occasions’ safety steps, strict enforcement of security policies, and routine security audits of occasion venues,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede four ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to help spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst economic crisis in a generation.

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

„Our hearts stay with the families and loved ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

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