Metro
Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Ooni’s Ex-Queen Hospitalised, IG Takes Over Investigation
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A stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan has left 35 children dead and six others injured, prompting the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the investigation. The tragic event reportedly stemmed from overcrowding at the venue, where over 7,500 children arrived for an event initially planned for 5,000 participants.
The funfair was co-organized by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, an Ibadan-based broadcaster. Following her arrest, Naomi reportedly collapsed on Friday and was rushed to the Police Hospital at Eleyele for treatment. Oriyomi Hamzat, Chairman of Agidigbo FM and co-organizer, was also hospitalized.
A senior staff member at the hospital confirmed their admission, noting heightened security around the facility. Meanwhile, eight individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and Agidigbo FM House, a key venue, has been shut down.
Medical officials have provided updates on the victims. At Adeoyo State Specialist Hospital, four children are receiving treatment, while five deaths have been confirmed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The hospital clarified that no bodies were taken to its mortuary.
Government and Public Reactions
The Oyo State Government, through its Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, mandated stricter safety measures for public events and warned of severe penalties for negligence. Governor Seyi Makinde described the incident as painful and preventable, announcing the cancellation of his December 25 birthday celebrations in honor of the victims.
The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi expressed their condolences. PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, blamed the tragedy on economic hardship, which drove families to seek free entertainment. He commended the state government’s swift response. Fayemi, in a statement, called the tragedy heartbreaking and prayed for the affected families.
The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, was left stunned after two suspected drug dealers requested to take a photograph with him shortly after they were arrested and interrogated.
The suspects, identified as Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ along the Agbarho-Warri Road.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, a substance suspected to be cocaine, and a dagger. The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.
As part of the investigation, Edafe interrogated the suspects. Shortly after the interview, the duo surprised the police spokesperson by asking to take a photograph with him.
In a follow-up post shared on social media, Edafe said he had never encountered such behaviour before, explaining that the suspects appeared to become excited once they realised he intended to interview them.
He added that despite being arrested with cocaine and two pistols, which they claimed were used for their drug business, they still requested to take a picture with him after the interrogation.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has confirmed the safe return of its seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, who was abducted by gunmen at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, on Saturday.
Itodo attributed the seminarian’s safe return to divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and well-wishers.
According to the diocese, the seminarian escaped from the custody of his abductors and made his way to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, where he was reunited with his family unharmed.
“Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, 31st July, 2026, and made his way to Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. He has since been safely reunited with his family and is unharmed,” the statement read in part.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed profound gratitude to priests, religious, lay faithful, and people of goodwill for their unwavering support and prayers during the period of the seminarian’s captivity.
The headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, located in Abuja has been gutted by fire.
The fire was said to have started from the fourth floor of the building.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a personnel of Zenith Bank domiciled in the Mortgage Bank building, Anthony Ameh, said the fire is so intense.
According to him, operatives of the Federal Fire Service, who came to contain the fire have not been able to arrest the situation.
“The fire is so intense. About four trucks of Fire Service are here but they are unable to quench it,” he said.
At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire incident cannot be ascertained.
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