Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 kids and seriously hurt 6 others, cops stated on Thursday.

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

“8 individuals have because been jailed for their different involvements”, police 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 included.

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

He used his “genuine condolences” to residents, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their cherished kids”.

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

“Among the vital actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of security regulations, and routine security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of deadly stampedes in current months.

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

Later that month, another stampede killed four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy entrepreneur 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 said members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the money, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain with the families and enjoyed ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” stated.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose happiness has actually all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.