The Oyo Police Command has disclosed that 35 children died and six others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a stampede that occurred during a Christmas funfair held at Islamic High School in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to the Police, the six injured children remain critically injured and were receiving medical care at the state-owned medical facility.
The event, organized by Wings Foundation, a non-governmental organisation owned by the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s former wife, Naomi, in partnership with Agidigbo FM, was intended as a family gathering.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, the command noted that there were no property safety measures provided by the organisers before the event commenced.
According to the police, so far, 35 minors have been confirmed dead, while six others are critically injured and undergoing various medical interventions.
“So also, residents around the axis are advised not to panic as they would witness high level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.
“Finally, the Oyo State Police Command sympathizes with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assures the good people of the State that Justice will be served accordingly.”
As gathered, the organisers started warning Oyo residents to stop coming to the venue after the number of guests exceeded their expectation for the funfair put together to celebrate children in the state.
Corroborating this, the media partner for the celebration, Agidigbo FM, in a statement released by its Director of Programmes, Olayinka AbdulWahab, said: “Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, use all media strategies to sensitize the populace with jingles and Public service Announcement, from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair”.
