Oyo govt probes children’s death at Ibadan party stampede

• Organisers has been arrested, Gov Makinde says
Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, yesterday, as about 20 children were stampeded to death during a children’s Christmas party, at the Islamic High School in Bashorun.Many parents were seen wailing and screaming for their children while government officials and kind-hearted citizens made spirited efforts to save the injured ones.

The event was organised by Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, led by Oriyomi Hamzat, in collaboration with Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.The Guardian gathered that the festive event took a devastating turn when a massive crowd of children and parents rushed forward to collect gifts and food, resulting in a tragic stampede.

Eye witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many people trampled in the rush. Emergency services were quickly overwhelmed, and the full extent of the tragedy is still emerging.

According to them, the children were trampled in the chaos, with several others injured and were rushed for treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Although the number of fatalities could not be ascertained at press time, sources claimed that over 30 children died, while another putthenumber of fatalities to seven.

But an official source and medical doctors in a hospital visited said four children lost their lives. Another source said: “Queen Naomi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, had planned to surprise 5,000 children with gifts and scholarships at an Islamic school. The event was publicly announced by Agidigbo FM radio for days. However, tragedy struck, resulting in the deaths of at least seven children.

“She wanted to surprise 5000 children with gifts and scholarships at Islamic school and Agidigbo FM radio is involved as well. “About seven children have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Bashorun. The scene this morning was absolutely devastating.”

Meanwhile, Oyo State Government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, expressed sadness over the tragic loss. It stated that stampede occurred at the private children’s fun fair held at Basorun Islamic High School, leading to loss of lives, mostly children, with some others injured in the early hours of today.

The commissioner noted that victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention. While appreciating the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to provide assistance at the scene of the incident, Prince Oyelade in the statement, said the State Government will do all in its power to stand by victims of the fateful incident through this trying period.

According to him, the state government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the funfair. It emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.

The commissioner indicated that they are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident.

He urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their childrento check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where children affected were taken for proper medical attention with valid means of identification.

They are Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ringroad State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital and University College Hospital (UCH). The statement stated that the Oyo State government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary support is arranged for the victims.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the arrest of the organisers of the event. The Governor disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The governor said the state government had taken some steps to halt further deaths and has commenced an investigation, noting that those responsible for the incident will be held accountable.

Makinde said medical personnel and ambulances have been deployed to the venue while the event has been stopped and attendees have been escorted out of the venue.

“Earlier today, an incident occurred in Islamic High School Basorun, the venue of an event organised for families.

“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue. We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue.

“While investigations are ongoing, the primary organisers of the event that led to this stampede have been taken into custody,” he said.