Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event took place

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

«8 individuals have since been apprehended for their different involvements», cops spokesperson Adewale stated in a statement.

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 sadness over the tragic occurrence».

He provided his «heartfelt acknowledgements» to locals, state authorities and the «mourning families who have lost their precious children».

He urged the «Oyo State federal government to take every needed procedure to avoid such a tragedy from reoccurring», the statement by the presidency added.

«Among the essential actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of occasion venues,» Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

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

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being crushed 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 eliminated 4 females who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts 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 economic crisis 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 liked ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,» Makinde stated.

«We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,» he added.