Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows 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 killed 35 kids and seriously hurt six others, cops stated on Thursday.

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

“8 persons have actually considering that been apprehended for their various participations”, police spokesperson 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement “expressed profound unhappiness over the terrible incident”.

He provided his “sincere condolences” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning households who have actually lost their precious kids”.

He advised the “Oyo State government to take every required step to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the essential actions are an extensive evaluation of all public events’ security procedures, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, and regular security audits of event venues,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several lethal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands gathered for totally free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 females who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to help spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession 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 liked ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

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