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 took place

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

The injured 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 given that been apprehended for their different participations », police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those apprehended 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 opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration « revealed profound unhappiness over the awful event ».

He used his « sincere 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 needed step to avoid such a tragedy from reoccurring », the declaration by the presidency added.

« Among the vital actions are an extensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular safety audits of event locations, » Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of deadly stampedes in current months.

In March, two trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being as thousands collected free of charge bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four females who had been waiting outside the office of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents 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 came to grips with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

« Our hearts stay with the households and enjoyed ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, » Makinde stated.

« We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.