In a heartbreaking turn of events, 32 children lost their lives in a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday. The tragedy unfolded at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, where an event meant for 5,000 participants saw over 7,500 attendees vying for entry, leading to chaos and fatalities.
Eyewitnesses attributed the disaster to poor crowd control and inadequate organisation. One witness, devastated by the loss of her child, recounted the overcrowding and confusion that turned a joyous occasion into a nightmare. “We weren’t even up to 5,000 people initially, but the lack of order caused this tragedy,” she lamented.
The event had reportedly been promoted by prominent figures, including Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, former queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, an Ibadan-based broadcaster. However, Agidigbo FM, a radio station owned by Hamzat, distanced itself from the organisation of the funfair. In a statement, Olayinka Abdulwahab, the station’s Director of Programmes, expressed condolences to the victims’ families. “Agidigbo FM was a media partner, not the organiser. When we observed the venue was overcrowded, we used all available channels to advise against further attendance,” Abdulwahab clarified.
Police and Hospitals React
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced an active investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the stampede. Spokesperson Adewale Osifeso called for calm as authorities pieced together the details of the tragic event.
Nearby hospitals were overwhelmed by the influx of victims. Patnas Hospital reported five children dead on arrival and discharged one survivor. Western Hospital and the University College Hospital (UCH) also received casualties, with UCH confirming five fatalities but no survivors admitted for treatment.
Distraught parents crowded the hospitals, mourning their losses and urging the government to expedite the release of their children’s remains.
Silence from Key Figure
Attempts to reach Prophetess Naomi Shikemi for her comments on the incident proved futile as her phone remained unreachable.
As investigations continue, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety measures and better planning in public events to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
