Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt six others, authorities said on Thursday.

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

« 8 persons have considering that been detained for their various involvements », authorities representative Adewale Osifeso said in a .

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the event 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 declaration « revealed extensive unhappiness over the awful event ».

He offered his « heartfelt condolences » to residents, state authorities and the « mourning families who have actually lost their beloved kids ».

He urged the « Oyo State government to take every needed step to avoid such a catastrophe from repeating », the declaration by the presidency added.

« Among the important actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of security regulations, and routine safety audits of event venues, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several deadly stampedes in current months.

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

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy business person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst economic crisis in a generation.

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

« Our hearts stay with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, » Makinde stated.

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