Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals 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 killed 35 children and seriously hurt 6 others, authorities stated 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 actually given that been arrested for their different participations”, police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged by the Wings Foundation and radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

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

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

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every needed procedure to avoid such a tragedy from returning”, the statement by the presidency included.

“Among the essential actions are an extensive review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of occasion places,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several deadly stampedes in current months.

In March, two students died and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four females who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich 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 stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria faced 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 households and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.