A festive Christmas event meant to bring joy to children in Ibadan turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Monday, December 18, 2024. The funfair, held at Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, Oyo State, was organized by the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation, led by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, in partnership with Agidigbo 88.7 FM.
The event was designed to uplift the spirits of children aged 0-13, offering financial aid, free meals, and exciting prizes like scholarships. However, the promise of ₦5,000 for each of the expected 5,000 children attracted an overwhelming crowd of over 7,500 attendees. What should have been a day of joy and celebration ended in chaos when a massive crowd surge led to a devastating stampede.
Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd began gathering as early as 5:00 AM, hours before the event was scheduled to start. As the organizers arrived to commence the activities, the crowd surged forward uncontrollably, resulting in a horrifying crush. Despite the presence of security personnel, the situation spiraled out of control, leaving 35 children dead and six others injured.
In the aftermath, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola and seven others, including the school’s principal, Fasasi Abdulahi, were taken into custody by the Oyo State Police Command. The case has now been handed over to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.
Reacting to the tragedy, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of young lives and ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. He assured the public that the culprits would be held accountable. Similarly, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, extended his condolences to the grieving families and pledged support for community healing efforts.
This tragic incident highlights the critical need for proper safety measures and crowd management at large events, particularly those involving children. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such a disaster in the future.
NIGPOST sends its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this unfortunate event.
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