Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a basic 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 killed 35 kids and seriously injured 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

The hurt kids were getting medical attention following the occurrence, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State stated.

“8 individuals have actually because been apprehended for their various involvements”, authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised 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 “revealed extensive sadness over the awful incident”.

He used his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning households who have lost their cherished children”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every required step to avoid such a disaster from repeating”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are a detailed evaluation of all public events’ safety procedures, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered free of charge bags of rice given out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four women who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 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 acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst financial 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 families and loved ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde said.

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