Yohaig NG News

Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident happened

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

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

“8 persons have actually because been arrested for their various involvements”, authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those apprehended was the main sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was arranged by the Wings Foundation and 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 “revealed profound sadness over the tragic event”.

He offered his “wholehearted condolences” to locals, state authorities and the “grieving families who have lost their cherished children”.

He prompted the “Oyo State government to take every required procedure to avoid such a disaster from persisting”, the statement by the presidency added.

“Among the necessary actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public events’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of event venues,” Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen a number of deadly stampedes in recent months.

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

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money gifts to assist spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the money, triggering 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 stay with the families and liked ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Makinde stated.

“We sympathise with the parents whose delight has all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he added.