Deaths from the Tuesday stampede at a children’s Christmas party in Ibadan, Oyo State, have climbed to 35 children, with six others still critically ill.
The funfair event, hosted by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, was held at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Ibadan.
Mrs Ogunwusi had reportedly planned to give five thousand children a cash Christmas gift of ₦5,000. An estimated seven thousand turned up, overwhelming the organizers, crashing the gate to the venue and crushing several children in the stampede.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the incident and expressed deep shock and condolences to the victims’ families. “This is a very sad day for us here in Oyo State,” he said. “We sympathize with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths.”
The police have arrested the event organisers, including Queen Naomi and her media partner, the school principal, and five others.
Police say the event was organized without permission or proper safety measures in place.
President Bola Tinubu has demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. “Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives.“
He urged the Oyo State Government to take all necessary measures to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring, including reviewing safety measures, enforcing safety regulations, and conducting regular safety audits.
Peter Obi Mourns
The incident has caused widespread outrage, with many blaming the organizers for the tragedy.
Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, described the news as “devastating” and “heart-wrenching,” saying it was “a stark reflection of the systemic failures that plague our nation today.”
The Tragedy that struck in Ibadan this morning occurred as a result of Christmas giveaway organized by Queen Naomi in partnership with Agidigbo FM, when stampede claimed the lives of several innocent children
— Abiola trends (@Abiola_Trends) December 18, 2024
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Armed Robbery Brand Pitt Seun Kuti Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Godswill pic.twitter.com/xVPPmopTMt
He wondered, “How did we, as a people, reach a point where children—the very symbols of hope and the future—lose their lives in the pursuit of something as simple as Christmas gifts?”
“This calamity,” Obi said, “exposes the deep inequalities, pervasive poverty, and desperation afflicting our nation.”
He said the situation “also reveals a broader failure in event planning, crowd control, and the fundamental duty to safeguard human lives.”
He called for “deep reflection and decisive action from leaders at all levels,” saying, “We must prioritize policies that address poverty, inequality, and equitable resource access while ensuring the highest safety standards for public events, especially those involving children.”
“The measure of a nation’s greatness lies in its care for the vulnerable,” he counselled.
A Facebook user commented, “Over 5,000 people in the venue. Some were trampled. Some slept there overnight. Poverty is killing this country.”
The Oyo State Police Command has promised to bring those responsible to justice and expressed its condolences to the families of the victims.
But Nigerians will look to see how justice will be served, not minding the good intentions of those involved, no matter how highly placed, to deter future occurrences.
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