The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic loss of 35 children in a stampede at a children's funfair in Ibadan on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Six other children were reported critically injured following the chaos at the Islamic High School, Basorun, where the event was held.
The police arrested eight individuals, including Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and the 56-year-old principal of the school, Fasasi Abdulahi, as part of their ongoing investigation into the deadly incident.
The event, organized by Silekunola’s Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation, aimed to bring joy to children during the festive season.
However, the funfair turned into a nightmare when a crowd far exceeding the anticipated turnout surged toward the venue. While organizers had prepared for 5,000 attendees, over 7,500 people showed up, causing severe overcrowding and leading to the tragic stampede.
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that the victims, all minors, were crushed during the pandemonium. “Among those detained are Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the school. The stampede resulted in the tragic loss of 35 minors, with six others reported to be in critical condition,” Osifeso said.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many parents and children struggling to gain entry into the venue. One survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her harrowing experience. “Honestly, I regret my action, and I will never do that again in my life,” she said. “I left home early with my two children, and when we got to the venue, it was already tense. The gate was locked, and then Oriyomi Hamzat came in and ordered the gate to be opened. But we were all impatient, and everyone rushed in at the same time.”
The survivor continued, “For almost five minutes, I couldn’t see my daughter. About five people already covered her. They were trampling on me as well. I managed to locate her and started biting them one after the other before I was able to rescue her.”
Another parent, who also wished to remain anonymous, tearfully recalled the trauma of the stampede. “Though my child is recovering, I regret all my actions, but thank God for sparing our lives. It was a terrible experience that I will never wish on anybody, even my enemy,” the parent said.
The tragedy has also highlighted the role of media in event promotion. Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM, has faced public scrutiny following the incident. While the radio station was a media partner for the event, Hamzat’s station was not the organizer.
In a statement, Agidigbo FM clarified its involvement, stating that upon realizing the overwhelming crowd, the station used various media channels to alert the public about the dangers of attending the event.
Despite their attempts to manage the situation, Hamzat has been deeply affected by the tragedy. His elder brother, Fuhad Hamzat, revealed that the radio station owner was hospitalized after the incident, overwhelmed by the shock. “The Chairman, Agidigbo FM, is currently unconscious and at an undisclosed hospital in Ibadan,” Fuhad said.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, with public figures and institutions offering condolences to the victims' families.
President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident. “Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount,” the President said in a statement. “No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.” Tinubu also called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at public events.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also expressed her sympathies, saying, “I condole with the Governor of Oyo State, HE Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, where the lives of many children were lost in a stampede.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
The Ooni's spokesman, Moses Olafare, described the tragedy as a painful event, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to improve the safety of children at public events.
In response to the tragedy, the Oyo State Police have transferred the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where the Deputy Commissioner of Police is leading the investigation.
In a statement, the police outlined the arrests of eight individuals, including Silekunola, Abdulahi, and others involved in the event’s planning and execution. The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the stampede, which remains under close scrutiny.
The Oyo State government has assured the public of increased security measures in the area to prevent further unrest. “Residents around the Basorun axis should not panic as they would witness high-level patrols and visible police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation,” the police stated.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, the Oyo State government has pledged to take the necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
