Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident took place

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

The hurt children were getting medical attention following the incident, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria’s third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

«8 persons have actually considering that been apprehended for their numerous involvements», cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration «expressed extensive unhappiness over the tragic occurrence».

He provided his «genuine acknowledgements» to locals, state authorities and the «grieving families who have lost their precious kids».

He prompted the «Oyo State government to take every necessary step to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring», the statement by the presidency added.

«Among the essential actions are a comprehensive evaluation of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event locations,» Tinubu added.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has seen numerous fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands gathered for complimentary bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed four ladies who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich businessman in the of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to help spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed 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 stay with the families and liked ones impacted by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,» Makinde said.

«We sympathise with the moms and dads whose delight has actually unexpectedly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,» he included.