Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence occurred

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

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

« 8 persons have actually considering that been detained for their numerous involvements », cops representative Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the main 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 included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration « revealed extensive sadness over the tragic occurrence ».

He provided his « heartfelt condolences » to locals, state authorities and the « mourning households who have actually lost their cherished children ».

He prompted the « Oyo State federal government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from returning », the statement by the presidency included.

« Among the vital actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety steps, rigorous enforcement of security guidelines, and routine security audits of occasion locations, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands collected for complimentary bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

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

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips 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 left rest in peace, » Makinde said.

« We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.