Police Investigate After 35 Children Die in Funfair Stampede
The funfair tragedy that occurred on Wednesday, leading to the death of people, especially children, and the displacement of other children, drew lots of attention from the commissioner of health to the state governor, who promised a thorough investigation of the incident and punishment of the organisers of the funfair.
After investigations, Queen Naomi, who is the main sponsor and organiser of the funfair, the principal of the school, and other coordinators involved in organising the event have been arrested, and their case has been moved to the Homicide section of the state criminal investigation department, where the deputy commissioner of police is heading the lead.
The state police public relations officer, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, gave an account of the arrest and the death recorded so far.
He said, “Among those detained are Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the school.
“The other individuals arrested include Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, with ages ranging from 25 to 52 years.
“The stampede resulted in the tragic loss of 35 minors, with six additional children reported to be in critical condition and receiving various medical interventions.
“So far, 35 minors have been documented dead while six others are critically injured.”
His statement added, “In light of the incident, the police have increased their presence in the area to maintain peace and security, while residents have been advised not to panic, as police patrols will be heightened to prevent any potential unrest.
“Residents around the area are advised not to panic as they would witness high-level patrols and visible police presence.”.
Dotun Oyelade, Oyo state commissioner for information and orientation, revealed that the bodies of the dead children admitted to different hospitals in the state have been claimed by their parents.
“To the best of our knowledge, the parents are in the custody of the bodies of the victims. And in any case, many of them demanded that their corpses be released to them.”
A woman named Iya Ayomide, speaking to a news correspondent, recounted her ordeal at the funfair and how she survived with her children.
She recounted saying, “Honestly, I regret my action, and I will never do that again in my life. I made that decision late on Tuesday night. I was staying at Agbowo in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.
“A co-tenant approached me that night that we should go to the event the following day (Wednesday), and I informed my husband, who permitted me to go alongside my children.
“I left home a few minutes after 5 am with my two children. One is three and a half years, and the second is seven years.
“We got there around 5:40 am. By then, the whole area was tense. The turnout was massive. The organisers locked the gate and prevented everybody from gaining access to the venue of the program.
She added, “Shortly after, Oriyomi Hamzat came in and ordered that the gate be left open so that we could gain entrance into the venue. But because we were not patient enough, everybody tried to gain access to the venue at the same time, resulting in a stampede.
“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.
“As I rescued her, someone collected her from me and rushed down to the ambulance, where they gave her first aid. She is recovering very fast now. The other child is hale and hearty.
With the bad turnout of the event enjoined with the death recorded, the owner of Agidigbo FM Ibadan, Oriyomi Hamzat, collapsed and is currently receiving treatment.
RELATED: Stampede at Funfair in Ibadan Claims several Lives
The radio station in question was a media partner to the event and not the organiser.
Hamzat had earlier dropped a condolence message that was signed by the director of programs, Olayinka Abdulwahab.
The statement read, “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan, received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organised by the WINGS Foundation, with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserates with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds is that Agidigbo FM is the organiser of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“This is not the time to spread misinformation. The management of Agidigbo FM implores the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives.”
Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria, in a statement signed by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, voiced his grief over the tragic funfair, sent condolences to the affected, and advised the governor of Oyo to take precautionary measures whenever this kind of event comes up.
The statement read, Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.”
“In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.
“President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly.
The wife of the president, in a personal statement on Thursday, also sent her condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
She said, “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.
“I sympathise with the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased. I also pray for speedy recovery and total healing for those still in the hospital.
“May the Lord grant peace to Oyo State, comfort to the families who have lost their loved ones, and hope to those grieving at this time.
Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/world/crowd-crush-kills-35-children-at-funfair-in-nigeria-police-say-1.7153115
