Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals 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 eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt six others, authorities said on Thursday.

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the incident, which took location on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

“8 persons have considering that been jailed for their numerous involvements”, police representative Adewale Osifeso said in a .

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged 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 statement “expressed profound sadness over the tragic occurrence”.

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

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every required step to avoid such a catastrophe from persisting”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the important actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, and routine security audits of occasion venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous deadly stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands collected for free 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 been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business person in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to assist pay for food throughout 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 shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

“Our hearts stay with the families and enjoyed ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose pleasure has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.