A devastating incident shook the city of Ibadan, Oyo State, as a children’s funfair turned into a tragedy. The event, which was supposed to bring joy to families, ended in heartbreak when a stampede claimed the lives of at least 32 children.
The funfair, held at Islamic High School in Bashorun, had been organized by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, alongside Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat. However, the event took a tragic turn when the number of attendees far exceeded the planned capacity. Organizers had prepared for 5,000 children, but over 7,500 people showed up, leading to overcrowding and chaos.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing scene, describing how the stampede began as the crowd struggled to enter the venue. Many blamed poor planning and a lack of crowd control for the disaster. One distraught attendee shared the pain of losing a child in the chaos, calling it an avoidable tragedy.
Reacting to the incident, Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The radio station clarified that it was only a media partner for the event and not responsible for its organization. According to their statement, when they noticed the overcrowding, they took steps to warn people to avoid the venue.
The Oyo State Police Command has launched an investigation to uncover the cause of the stampede and ensure accountability. Police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso confirmed that inquiries are ongoing.
This heartbreaking incident has left the community grieving and raises serious questions about event safety, planning, and crowd management. It serves as a somber reminder of the need to prioritize safety in public gatherings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Stay tuned to NIGPOST for updates on this developing story.
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