A devastating stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan has left 35 minors dead and six others critically injured, sending shockwaves across Oyo State and the nation.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the Islamic High School, Basorun, where the event, organized by a non-governmental organization (NGO), Women in Need of Guidance and Support, drew an unexpectedly large crowd.
The NGO, founded by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, partnered with Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent Ibadan-based broadcaster, to host the event.
Designed to spread joy during the festive season, the funfair was targeted at children, with arrangements made to accommodate around 5,000 attendees. However, over 7,500 participants reportedly turned up, overwhelming the venue’s capacity and safety protocols.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Oyo State Police Command detained Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, aged 31, alongside six others, including Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the Islamic High School.
According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
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“The stampede resulted in the tragic loss of 35 minors, while six others are in critical condition and receiving urgent medical care,” Osifeso said. He assured the public that justice would be served and that accountability would be ensured for the loss of innocent lives.
The incident has drawn widespread grief and condemnation, with President Bola Tinubu expressing profound sadness over the loss. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Oyo State.
“Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives,” President Tinubu stated. He assured Nigerians of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at public events.
The President also directed relevant authorities to conduct regular safety audits of event venues and to implement robust measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. “In this moment of mourning, I stand in solidarity with the affected families and pray that the Almighty God grants peace to the souls of the departed,” Tinubu added.
The Oyo State government and local authorities have pledged their support to the affected families, providing counseling and other forms of assistance. Vigils and prayers have been organized across the state as residents come to terms with the magnitude of the loss.
For many, this tragedy serves as a wake-up call about the importance of stringent safety measures and crowd control at public events. While the funfair was meant to bring joy and cheer to the children of Ibadan, it has instead left a community grappling with unimaginable sorrow.