Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence took place

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

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

“8 persons have actually because been arrested for their various participations”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained 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 added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “expressed extensive sadness over the awful event”.

He offered his “heartfelt acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their beloved kids”.

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every necessary step to avoid such a disaster from reoccurring”, the statement by the presidency added.

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

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected free of charge bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 females who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich entrepreneur in the of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the money, 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 stay with the households and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has actually suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he included.