IBADAN: The police have arrested the
organisers of the children’s funfair where many were feared dead and many others due to a stampede that erupted at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, midway into the carnival on Wednesday.
The Daily Crucible had reported earlier that unspecified number of children reportedly lost their lives in the stampede that occurred during a carnival in Ibadan.
Multiple sources put the statistics of children who reportedly perished in the stampede at over 30 while scores of others were also injured.
It was learnt that confusion ensued when over 15,000 people graced the venue before dawn, overstretching the planned capacity as parents, bent on gaining access for their children, caused a stampede at the entrance.
The situation soon spiraled out of control around 6 a.m and morphed into a huge chaos when the organisers announced that the 5,000-attendee limit had been reached. In frenzied response, the agitated crowd surged forward, leading to a deadly stampede that left many children trampled to death on the spot and others injured.
Victims were evacuated to nearby hospitals, including Patnas Specialist Hospital, Best Western Hospital, Molly Specialist Hospital, Ringroad State Hospital, and the University College Hospital (UCH), all in Ibadan.
The Daily Crucible learnt that at Patnas Specialist Hospital, four children were confirmed dead on arrival, while one survivor remained in critical condition as of Wednesday morning.
The chaotic scene also disrupted traffic along the Basorun axis, with thousands of attendees, mainly women and children, seen trekking long distances to access places where they could get vehicles going to their various homes.
Grieving mothers were also spotted wailing and making enquiries about the whereabouts of their children and wards.
At the venue, personal items such as shoes, slippers, bags, and clothing were left littered around the area by scampered and trampled victims.
Police officers and patrol vans were stationed at various points, while the venue remained in disarray, with decorations strewn on the ground.
According to the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, who confirmed the stampede at a private children’s funfair at Basorun Islamic High School, the state government swiftly mobilised her rapid response team to the scene when the incident broke.
The Daily Crucible reports that the government had advised worried parents to check some identified medical facilities in Ibadan, where affected children were taken to for proper medical care to ascertain the whereabouts of their wards and children.
“Parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan, where affected children have been taken for proper medical care, with valid means of identification:
Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ringroad State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital; and the University College Hospital, Ibadan,” Oyelade stated.
However, reacting to the development on Wednesday evening in a statement, he shared on his verified official X handle, Governor Seyi Makinde stated that the organisers have been arrested and are already in police custody.
Makinde said that investigations were on going to determine the cause of the stampede while measures have also been taken to prevent further death, even as he sympathized with the victims and their families.
The governor tweeted: “Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families. Sadly, a stampede at the venue has led to multiple loss of lives and injuries.
This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.
“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We are taking all realistic measures to ensure that the venue is secured.
“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody.
“I want to reassure our people that anyone directly or remotely involved in this disaster will be held accountable. Please remain calm as the security agencies investigate this unfortunate incident.
“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Amen,” he stated.
Although the Oyo State Government did not disclose the identities of the organisers, events that preceded the funfair, including announcements, revealed that it was put together by the estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, while an Ibadan – based radio station; Agidigbo 88.7 FM owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, is one of the media organisations engaged to promote the funfair.
Expectedly, earlier on Tuesday, the Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan shared on its Facebook handle the announcement that ex – Olori Ile – Ife, who is the founder of Women In Need Of Guidance and Support, was at the station ahead of her 2024 Children Fun Fair which was slated for today(Wednesday).
The Facebook post reads, “Founder of Women In Need Of Guidance and Support, Her Majesty Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi in the Kunle Hamzat studio, ahead of her 2024 Children Fun Fair.
“Speaking during a special programme on Agidigbo FM, Queen Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunswusi is set to host 5,000 kids between the ages of 0-13 years across Ibadan for free under the aegis of (WINGS) foundation.
“Olori Naomi Ogunwusi revealed that the event, scheduled for Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School Bashorun Ibadan, is strictly for children and they will win exciting prizes like scholarships and other bountiful gifts.
“Olori Ogunwusi also assured parents and guardians of adequate security for all participants of the event.”
