A terrible stampede at an Ibadan children’s Christmas funfair on December 18, 2024, claimed the lives of 35 children and injured six more.
Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, organised the event with the intention of giving gifts and financial support to children ages 0–13. However, there was congestion due to the high attendance, which resulted in the catastrophe.
Prophetess Naomi and seven other people, including the principal of Bashorun Islamic High School, the site of the event, were arrested by the Oyo State Police Command after the occurrence.
They were accused of conspiring, causing death through negligence, causing harm via negligence, and failing to provide proper security and medical facilities.
Their remand at the Agodi Correctional Centre was imposed by Chief Magistrate Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi until the Director of Public Prosecutions provided additional legal advice.
Prophetess Naomi’s mother, Mrs Ogunseyi, expressed her profound sadness at her daughter’s detention and urged President Bola Tinubu to step in. She called for her daughter’s release, stressing that the catastrophe was unplanned and characterising Naomi as weak and in need of medical care.
To ascertain the reasons behind the incident and stop it from happening again, President Tinubu has directed a thorough inquiry. He also offered the impacted families his sympathy.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, extended support to Prophetess Naomi, his ex-wife, and condoled with the families of the deceased.
He noted that she has previously planned similar charity events and emphasised the necessity of better safety precautions in subsequent projects.
