Yohaig 9ja News

Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photo shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event occurred

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

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the event, which took place on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

“8 persons have actually because been apprehended for their different involvements”, police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the primary 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 “revealed extensive sadness over the awful occurrence”.

He offered his “wholehearted condolences” to residents, state authorities and the “mourning households who have lost their cherished kids”.

He urged the “Oyo State federal government to take every essential procedure to prevent such a catastrophe from reoccurring”, the declaration by the presidency added.

“Among the vital actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public events’ safety procedures, rigorous enforcement of safety regulations, and routine safety audits of event locations,” Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen several deadly stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were injured after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice distributed by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 women who had actually been waiting outside the office of a wealthy entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist 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 shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this catastrophe. May the souls of the left rest in peace,” Makinde said.

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