• Commiserates with families of the deceased 
The Oriyomi Hamzat fan group in the United States and Canada has commiserated with the families of victims of the Ibadan stampede. The group also lauded the outpouring of love and support for broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat during a recent peaceful walk held in Ibadan, and called for his release as well as others currently in custody.
  
According to the group, while the incident is unfortunate and deeply regretted, Hamzat and the others could not have known that a stampede would occur and didn’t cause it.
 
In a statement yesterday by the group’s coordinators, Toyosi Oladipo and Rashidat Aina, they prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed children.
  
They also supported due diligence in the case, stressing, however, that Hamzat and others should not be unnecessarily punished for their good intentions and kindness.
 
The group, which said it has been monitoring events since the incident, including the ongoing investigation by the law enforcement agents, pleaded for the release of the organisers, adding that they meant well and never envisaged that such a terrible thing could happen.

“We are aware that this is a tragedy and a huge loss to the nation and good people of Oyo State. We pray God in His infinite mercies grants them eternal rest. We wish those in the hospital a speedy recovery and hope they recover fully.
 
“Hamzat is a strong advocate for children and the less privileged, so he could never have meant ill for them,” the group said.  Another key member of the group and thespian, Dr Bose Olubo-Adegeye, urged security authorities to improve security in future public outings of such magnitude to prevent such from happening again. 
 
She regretted that aside from the Ibadan incident, there were also stampedes in Abuja and Anambra State, where more lives were sadly lost as a result of the breakdown of order.