Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in Nigeria, where the occurrence took place

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually killed 35 children and seriously hurt six others, police stated on Thursday.

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

„8 persons have actually because been apprehended for their various involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary 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 „revealed extensive unhappiness over the tragic event”.

He offered his „wholehearted acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the „mourning households who have actually lost their cherished children”.

He prompted the „Oyo State federal government to take every necessary procedure to prevent such a disaster from returning”, the declaration by the presidency added.

„Among the vital actions are an extensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and routine security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected 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 workplace of a rich businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria faced 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 remain with the households and liked ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

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