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 happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually killed 35 children and seriously hurt 6 others, cops stated on Thursday.

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

“8 persons have actually because been arrested for their numerous involvements”, cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the main 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 included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration “revealed extensive unhappiness over the awful occurrence”.

He provided his “sincere acknowledgements” to locals, state authorities and the “mourning households who have lost their precious children”.

He prompted the “Oyo State federal government to take every necessary procedure to prevent such a catastrophe from repeating”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the important actions are a comprehensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular safety audits of occasion venues,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

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

Witnesses said members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the cash, causing a stampede, as Nigeria grappled with its worst recession in a .

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

“Our hearts remain with the households and loved ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde said.

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