A tragic stampede at a children’s funfair held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, on Wednesday, December 18, resulted in the deaths of several children.
The Oyo State government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that the event organizers have been arrested as investigations into the incident continue.
Governor Makinde expressed his condolences to the grieving families via his X handle, describing the event as a sad day for Oyo State.
“We sympathize with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” he said, adding that immediate measures have been taken to prevent further casualties.
Medical personnel and ambulances were deployed to the scene, and security forces have restored order.
The funfair, reportedly organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, had been announced as a free event for children.
However, according to reports, the turnout far exceeded the venue’s capacity, leading to the stampede.
Governor Makinde assured residents that those responsible for the disaster would face justice.
“Anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable,” he stated, urging the public to remain calm as investigations proceed.
He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, saying, “May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen.”
This tragedy highlights the importance of strict crowd management and parental caution when attending large-scale events.
As investigations continue, the public is urged to cooperate with authorities to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
