A tragic occurrence that happened at a Christmas funfair in Ibadan, Nigeria, on December 18, left 35 children dead and six others injured.
In cooperation with Agidigbo 88.7 FM and local leader Olori Naomi Silekunola, the Women In Need Of Guidance And Support Foundation at Islamic High School in the Bashorun neighbourhood of Ibadan organised the event.
The funfair, which catered to kids ages 0–13, provided free food, cash handouts, and prizes, including scholarships.
A sizable throng was drawn in by the promise of financial support, particularly in light of Nigeria’s continuous economic difficulties.
Five hours before the stated start time, at 5:00 AM, attendees started to arrive. There were more than five thousand kids at the location. Although the precise order of events is still being investigated, the fatal crush happened when the event organisers arrived to start the activities.
Numerous victims were admitted to Ibadan’s medical facilities. Only two of the six children admitted to one hospital survived, while three deaths were reported at another.
Eight people were arrested in connection with the event, including the principal of the school and Olori Naomi Silekunola, the main organiser.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, sent security personnel to re-establish order and pledged a comprehensive inquiry to prosecute those accountable.
The police reported over thirty-five fatalities in total at the Christmas funfair.
President Bola Tinubu ordered a thorough investigation into the tragedy and offered his condolences to impacted families.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, also expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of children who lost their lives and wished those hospitalised swift recovery.
