At least 35 children died and six others were critically injured in a crowd crush at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, southwest Nigeria, on Wednesday, CNN reports, citing police.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy, including the event’s main sponsor.
The incident occurred at an event organized by the Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WING) at an Islamic school. According to local radio station Agidigbo FM, WING anticipated 5,000 children under the age of 13 at the free event, which offered prizes including scholarships. The sheer number of attendees overwhelmed the venue, leading to the deadly crush.
Oyo State Police spokesperson released a statement Thursday detailing the arrests and the ongoing investigation. The case has been transferred to the homicide section of the state’s criminal investigation department. The police spokesperson expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and assured the public that justice would be served.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu offered condolences, expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and urging the Oyo State Government to implement measures to prevent future tragedies. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also expressed deep sorrow.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about crowd control and safety measures at large-scale events in Nigeria. The country has witnessed several deadly crowd crushes in recent years, including incidents in Lagos and Port Harcourt. In February, an unspecified number of people died in a stampede during a rice distribution event in Lagos, and in 2022, at least 30 people, many of them children, were killed at a church event in Port Harcourt. A 2019 political rally also resulted in at least four deaths due to overcrowding.
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