Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

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

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 children and seriously injured six others, cops said on Thursday.

The hurt kids were receiving following the occurrence, which took location on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

“8 persons have actually since been detained for their numerous participations”, cops representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.

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

He used his “sincere acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning families who have actually lost their beloved kids”.

He advised the “Oyo State government to take every needed measure to avoid such a disaster from repeating”, the declaration by the presidency included.

“Among the necessary actions are an extensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, rigorous enforcement of safety policies, and regular safety audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two students died and 23 were injured after being crushed as thousands collected free of charge bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

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

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

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

“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose happiness has actually unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he included.