Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a basic 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 killed 35 kids and seriously injured six others, cops said on Thursday.

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

« 8 persons have since been detained for their different participations », authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the main sponsor of the occasion 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 unhappiness over the awful incident ».

He provided his « heartfelt acknowledgements » to locals, state authorities and the « grieving families who have actually lost their precious children ».

He urged the « Oyo State federal government to take every required procedure to prevent such a catastrophe from repeating », the declaration by the presidency included.

« Among the important actions are a thorough review of all public events’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety policies, and routine security audits of occasion venues, » Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen numerous fatal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands gathered for complimentary bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist 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 on X on Wednesday.

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

« We sympathise with the parents whose joy has actually unexpectedly been turned to grieving due to these deaths, » he added.