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 took place
A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 kids and seriously hurt six others, police stated on Thursday.
The injured kids were receiving medical attention following the event, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.
“8 individuals have actually since been jailed for their different involvements”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.
Among those detained 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 opened a probe, Osifeso added.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement “revealed profound sadness over the terrible event”.
He used his “wholehearted acknowledgements” to residents, state authorities and the “grieving families who have actually lost their beloved kids”.
He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every essential step to prevent such a disaster from returning”, the declaration by the presidency added.
“Among the important actions are a detailed review of all public events’ precaution, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular security audits of event places,” Tinubu included.
– ‘Rest in peace’ –
Nigeria has actually seen a number of fatal stampedes in months.
In March, 2 students passed away and 23 were harmed after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.
Later that month, another stampede eliminated four ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Witnesses said members of the crowd pushed to get hold of 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 condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.
“Our hearts remain with the households and liked ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde said.
“We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has actually suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,” he added.
