Amnesty urges govt to probe Ibadan, Anambra stampedes

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has called on authorities in Nigeria to investigate the stampede in Ibadan Oyo State, and that of Okija, Anambra State, that led to the loss of lives.

The Ibadan incident occurred at a Christmas funfair party on Wednesday. According to the Oyo State Police Command, 35 children died and six were left hospitalised as a result of the stampede.

The police have since arrested Naomi Silekunola, an ex-wife of Ooni of Ife; Abdullahi Fasasi, the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan; and others who organised the event.

While Nigerians were still mourning the death of the children, news broke on Saturday of another stamped, this time in Okija, a community in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing many adults, with reports quoting the number of casualties as 36.

The victims had gone to partake in the sharing of bags of rice donated by philanthropist, Ernest Obiejiesi, popularly known as Obijackson.

Reacting, Amnesty urged Nigerian authorities to “promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, and transparently investigate how charity events — for the sharing of rice — descended into disaster that killed” the victims.