Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph shows a basic 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 eliminated 35 children and seriously hurt 6 others, authorities said on Thursday.

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

«8 individuals have because been apprehended for their different involvements», authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor 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 added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement «expressed profound unhappiness over the terrible event».

He used his «genuine acknowledgements» to residents, state authorities and the «mourning households who have lost their beloved kids».

He advised the «Oyo State government to take every needed procedure to avoid such a disaster from returning», the declaration by the presidency added.

«Among the necessary actions are a detailed evaluation of all public occasions’ precaution, strict enforcement of security guidelines, and regular security audits of event locations,» Tinubu included.

— ‘Rest in peace’ —

Nigeria has seen a number of fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, two trainees passed away and 23 were injured after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice handed out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the office of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help pay for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the money, a stampede, as Nigeria came to grips with its worst financial crisis in a generation.

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

«Our hearts stay with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace,» Makinde said.

«We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has actually all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,» he added.