Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a general 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 injured six others, authorities stated on Thursday.

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

“8 persons have actually considering that been jailed for their various participations”, police representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the event 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso included.

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

He offered his “genuine acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning families who have actually lost their precious children”.

He urged the “Oyo State government to take every required step to prevent such a disaster from repeating”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the essential actions are a thorough review of all public occasions’ security measures, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular security audits of occasion places,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several lethal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another four women who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the money, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

“Our hearts stay with the households and enjoyed ones impacted by this catastrophe. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the parents whose happiness has suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.