On Wednesday, a devastating incident occurred at a funfair in southwest Nigeria, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 35 children and leaving six others critically injured. The event took place at an Islamic school in the city of Ibadan, where a crowd crush led to this heartbreaking outcome.
Authorities have taken swift action, with eight individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, including the main sponsor of the event. The organizers, known as Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WING), had planned to host 5,000 children under the age of 13 at the free event, offering prizes such as scholarships.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the affected families, emphasizing solidarity and offering prayers for the departed souls. President Tinubu also urged the Oyo State Government to implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde described the day as 'very sad,' extending sympathies to the grieving parents and vowing accountability for those responsible. The case has been transferred to the homicide section of the state's criminal investigation department for further investigation.
This unfortunate incident adds to a series of deadly crowd crushes in Nigeria in recent years, highlighting the need for improved safety measures at public events. The country has witnessed similar tragedies, including incidents at a Nigeria Customs Service office in Lagos and a church event in Port Harcourt.
As the nation mourns the loss of young lives, authorities are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and their families. The Oyo State Police Command has reassured the public that all necessary steps will be taken to serve justice and prevent such incidents from occurring again.
