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 six others, police said on Thursday.

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

“8 individuals have actually since been detained for their numerous participations”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the occasion 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 added.

Nigerian President on Thursday in a statement “revealed extensive sadness over the terrible incident”.

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

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

“Among the essential actions are a thorough evaluation of all public occasions’ safety steps, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and regular security audits of event venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous lethal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands collected for complimentary bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four women who had been waiting outside the office of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain with the families and liked ones impacted by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

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