This aerial picture shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event took place
This aerial photo shows a general 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 killed 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, authorities stated on Thursday.
The injured kids were receiving medical attention following the incident, which happened on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.
"8 individuals have since been jailed for their various involvements", authorities 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 actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement "expressed extensive sadness over the awful occurrence".
He used his "heartfelt condolences" to locals, state authorities and the "mourning households who have lost their cherished children".
He advised the "Oyo State government to take every required step to prevent such a catastrophe from repeating", the declaration by the presidency included.
"Among the necessary actions are a thorough evaluation of all public occasions' security measures, stringent enforcement of safety guidelines, and routine security audits of occasion venues," Tinubu added.
- 'Rest in peace' -
Nigeria has actually seen a number of fatal stampedes in recent months.
In March, 2 students died and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected for totally free bags of rice handed out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.
Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy entrepreneur in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist spend for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire 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 stay with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde stated.
"We sympathise with the moms and dads whose pleasure has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths," he added.
