Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident 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, authorities 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 said.

“8 persons have considering that been jailed for their numerous involvements”, cops representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

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 opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “revealed profound sadness over the terrible occurrence”.

He provided his “wholehearted condolences” to residents, state and the “mourning families who have actually lost their beloved children”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every needed step to prevent such a catastrophe from returning”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are an extensive evaluation of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, and routine safety audits of event locations,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous lethal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt 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 actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the money, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst financial crisis 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 liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.