Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a general 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 children and seriously hurt 6 others, authorities stated on Thursday.

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

« 8 individuals have since been arrested for their different involvements », police representative Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement « expressed profound unhappiness over the terrible incident ».

He offered his « heartfelt acknowledgements » to residents, state authorities and the « grieving families who have actually lost their cherished kids ».

He prompted the « Oyo State government to take every essential measure to avoid such a catastrophe from reoccurring », the statement by the presidency added.

« Among the vital actions are a thorough review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of occasion venues, » Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

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

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as for free bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four women who had been waiting outside the workplace of a rich entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to acquire the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst economic crisis in a generation.

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

« Our hearts stay with the families and enjoyed ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the left rest in peace, » Makinde said.

« We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has all of a sudden been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.