The city of Ibadan was thrown into mourning following a tragic stampede at a children’s funfair, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left 6 others critically injured. The event, which was organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation founded by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, was intended to bring joy to children but ended in a devastating loss of life. Some eyewitnesses of the scenes reported that over 7,500 participants were present at the venue, which was far exceeding the expected capacity of 5,000 children and ended up leading to Overcrowding and a deadly stampede.
In response to the incident, the Oyo State Police Command has detained Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and six other individuals linked to the event. Among those in custody are Fasasi Abdulahi, the school principal, and several others who played key roles in organising the event. The Security agency confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department. The Deputy Commissioner of Police is leading the inquiry to ensure justice for the victims. Authorities have also intensified security measures in the area to prevent unrest, urging residents to remain calm.
Government and medical centres urgently respond to the crisis.
Parents and relatives of the deceased children have been granted custody of their bodies. Many victims were rushed to hospitals, including Patnas Hospital, Western Hospital, Ring Road State Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, and the University College Hospital (UCH). Similarly, parents and survivors shared harrowing accounts of the incident, revealing that some families had arrived at the venue as early as 5:30 am, with others camping overnight in anticipation of the event. Some, overcome with emotion, expressed regret for attending the event but thanked God for their child’s survival.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the grieving families and the state government. He directed relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and called for a comprehensive review of safety protocols for public events to prevent such tragedies in the future. The President emphasised that the safety and well-being of children must never be compromised. Likewise, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also sympathised with the victims’ families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. She underscored the importance of consoling the affected families during this mourning period.
Ooni of Ife’s palace condemns the incident and offers support.
However, the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, issued a heartfelt statement expressing grief over the incident. The monarch’s spokesperson emphasised the urgent need for collaborative efforts to enhance the safety and Welfare of children across the country. The palace commended the state government’s prompt response and pledged support for initiatives aimed at healing and prevention. Noting the NGO founder’s history of philanthropic activities, the palace urged her and other organisers to remain committed to such programs but called for better planning and adherence to safety standards in future events.
On the other hand, the statement further criticised unprofessional reporting by some media outlets, urging compassion and accuracy in covering sensitive issues across the country. This tragedy has highlighted the pressing need for strict enforcement of safety regulations at public events. Experts and stakeholders are advocating for regular safety audits, better crowd control measures like limiting attendance to the venue’s safe capacity, use of ticketing systems to manage entry, and more robust planning to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.
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As the nation mourns this heartbreaking loss, efforts are also underway to provide support to the grieving families and survivors during this hard time. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibilities of event organisers and the importance of prioritising safety in all gatherings involving children. The collective hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to more strict protections and a renewed commitment to protecting the lives of the most vulnerable.