Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence occurred

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

The hurt 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 different involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary 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 added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “expressed profound sadness over the tragic event”.

He used his “genuine acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning families who have actually lost their cherished children”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every needed step to avoid such a catastrophe from reoccurring”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the vital actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ safety steps, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, two trainees died and 23 were injured after being crushed as thousands gathered for complimentary bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 women who had actually been waiting outside the of a wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to help pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire 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 acknowledgements for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

“We sympathise with the parents whose delight has actually unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he included.