Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo reveals 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 injured 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

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

“8 persons have actually because been jailed for their numerous involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those detained was the of the event 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 included.

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

He provided his “sincere condolences” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning families who have actually lost their beloved kids”.

He advised the “Oyo State federal government to take every required step to avoid such a disaster from persisting”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are a detailed review of all public occasions’ security measures, strict enforcement of security regulations, and routine security audits of event venues,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several lethal stampedes in recent months.

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

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

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a generation.

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

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

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