A devastating tragedy occurred on Wednesday at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives in a stampede, with six others critically injured. The incident happened at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, during a children’s funfair organized by the WINGS Foundation, in collaboration with an Ibadan-based radio station, Agidigbo FM.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, who was the main sponsor of the event, along with the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdulahi, and six others. According to the police, the other arrested individuals include Genesis Christopher, 24; Tanimowo Moruf, 52; Anisolaja Olabode, 42; Idowu Ibrahim, 35; and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, 25.
The police stated that the event was meant for 5,000 children, but over 7,500 participants showed up, leading to the stampede. “So far, 35 minors have been documented dead while six others are critically injured and on various medical interventions,” said Adewale Osifeso, the State Police Public Relations Officer.
Multiple eyewitness accounts indicated that the stampede occurred when participants rushed to gain access to the event’s venue. An eyewitness said, “Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants but because we were not organized, that was why the situation got to this. We were not even up to 5,000 participants.”
Another participant, who claimed to have lost a child, said, “Rather than attend to us very well, they wanted to fight us. We just lost one child who has been taken to the University College Hospital.”
The management of Agidigbo FM sympathized with the victims, stating, “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organized by the WINGS Foundation, with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.”
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, sympathized with the parents of the deceased, stating, “We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.”
The police have assured residents of “high-level patrols” and the presence of its operatives to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation. The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, for further investigation .
