Agidigbo FM dissociates self from Ibadan stampede that claimed lives

Agidigbo FM, a radio station based in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, has denied claims accusing it of being the organiser of the children’s fun fair that resulted in a stampede and claimed multiple lives.

On Wednesday, no less than 20 children lost their lives in a stampede that occurred during a children’s fun fair held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, a suburb of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Many people blamed Agidigbo FM for the casualties. The radio station has, however, denied the allegations.

According to the radio station, the WINGS Foundation organised the fun fair, and it (Agidigbo FM) was one of the media outfits promoting the event for the foundation.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the station’s Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab

“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds that Agidigbo FM, is the organiser of the children’s funfair, however, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event, but one of the media outfits used to promote the event,” the radio station disclosed in a press statement.

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Abdulwahab said the radio station was notified that a mammoth crowd had assembled at the venue of the event before 5 am on Wednesday morning and they utilised media strategies to warn more people from going there.

He said, “Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.”

Abdulwahab also advised the public to dissuade from spreading misinformation.

“This is not the time to spread misinformation,” the radio station said. “ The Management of Agidigbo FM implore the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathise with the family of those who lost their lives.”