Following the stampede at the children’s Christmas funfair in Ibadan, the Oyo Police Command has arrested the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s former wife, Naomi, and seven others for organizing an event that resulted in the tragedy.
Others in police detention were the principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where the event was held, 56-year-old Fasasi Abdulahi, 24-year-old Genesis Christopher, 52-year-old Tanimowo Moruf, 42-year-old Anisolaja Olabode, 35-year-old Idowu Ibrahim and 25-year-old Abiola Oluwatimilehin.
The eight suspects were apprehended by the Police on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the stampede that claimed the lives of children and adults at the funfair in the state.
The arrest was disclosed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso, through a statement made available to newsmen.
According to the statement: “Sequel to the Stampede incident recorded on Wednesday 18/12/2024 at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements.
“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.
“In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations”.
