Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in Nigeria, where the event occurred

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

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

“8 individuals have actually since been apprehended for their various involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso 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 included.

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

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

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every necessary procedure to prevent such a catastrophe from reoccurring”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are a thorough evaluation of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of security policies, and routine safety audits of occasion places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen a number of deadly stampedes in recent months.

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

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst recession in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain 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 grieving due to these deaths,” he added.