Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture reveals a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the incident occurred

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

The hurt children were receiving medical attention following the occurrence, which occurred on Wednesday in city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

«8 individuals have because been detained for their different participations», authorities spokesperson Adewale Osifeso said in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the event 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 added.

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

He provided his «genuine condolences» to locals, state authorities and the «grieving households who have actually lost their beloved kids».

He advised the «Oyo State government to take every required measure to avoid such a catastrophe from persisting», the statement by the presidency included.

«Among the essential actions are a detailed evaluation of all public occasions’ safety steps, strict enforcement of safety guidelines, and regular safety audits of occasion locations,» Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

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

In March, two students died and 23 were hurt after being crushed as thousands gathered totally free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede killed 4 ladies who had been waiting outside the workplace of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to assist spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pushed to get hold of the money, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria grappled 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 affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace,» Makinde stated.

«We sympathise with the moms and dads whose joy has suddenly been turned to grieving due to these deaths,» he added.