Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence took place

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

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

«8 persons have since been jailed for their numerous involvements», police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended 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 added.

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

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

He urged the «Oyo State government to take every required step to avoid such a tragedy from returning», the statement by the presidency included.

«Among the necessary actions are a comprehensive review of all public occasions’ precaution, stringent enforcement of security regulations, and regular security audits of occasion locations,» Tinubu included.

– ‘Rest in peace’ –

Nigeria has actually seen several fatal stampedes in current months.

In March, two trainees passed away and 23 were harmed after being crushed as thousands gathered free of of rice given out by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in main Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 ladies who had actually been waiting outside the workplace of a rich business owner in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash presents to assist 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 grappled with its worst economic 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 households and liked ones impacted by this disaster. May the souls of the left rest in peace,» Makinde said.

«We sympathise with the parents whose pleasure has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,» he included.