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.

Jessica Chuks, a female pre-nursery student at a private school in Uja village, Oru Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, Okoronta, died after it was suspected that she had consumed a liquid substance while attending class.

While Okoronta Chuks, the father of the deceased student, claims his daughter died after consuming a dangerous liquid that was carelessly stored within the school, the school administration asserts that it took multiple actions to save the child’s life in a clinic following a suspected Kerosene drink.

Speaking about the tragic incident, the father of the deceased child stated that on November 21, 2024, he received a call from the school’s headmistress telling him that his child had been taken to a Clinic in Nnono Oboro after she drank Kerosene.

Chuks claimed that before his daughter was brought to the hospital, he was not even notified.

“Imagine, they took my child to a clinic without my knowing! I believe as an affected parent, I should have a choice of the hospital and also we have a family Doctor. So I took a bike ride to the place as she mentioned. When I got there, it was a horrific scenario.

“We were also hopeful that the child would be revived but sadly, she gave up”, Mr Chuks said in tears.

The father, who demanded justice for his deceased daughter, claimed that the Nigerian Police Force’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters had been notified of the situation.

Speaking on the subject, James Uchegbuo, secretary of the Oboro Council of President Generals Forum, stated that no dangerous materials should be stored in offices or classrooms, particularly those where children are present.

Uchegbuo advised the police to provide a reliable investigative report in order to provide justice to the family of the innocent child.

In response to ZINGTIE’s inquiry regarding whether the issue had been reported to the Abia State Command’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed that the matter is being investigated.

“Yes, we have such a report. It was reported and investigation is ongoing”, ASP Chinaka said.

Amarachi Nwosu, 32, cannot forget the chaos that engulfed the Holy Trinity Catholic Church grounds this morning. Although she and her three-year-old son almost died, she is apprehensive about where the next meal will come from.

Clutching her three-year-old son, Obinna, she recalls the desperate push of the crowd as thousands scrambled to receive palliatives.

“I didn’t even know what was happening. I just wanted to get food for my children. The next thing, I felt people pushing me, and I lost my balance,” Amarachi whispered, her voice trembling.

For Amarachi, like many others, the event was supposed to be a blessing. She had heard about the church’s palliative distribution from a neighbour in Mararaba.

Along with her son, she arrived at the venue around 5 a.m., hopeful that they would leave with something to eat for the week.

“It’s been hard. The cost of food is unbearable. Even a cup of rice is now a luxury for us,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

As the sun rose, so did the crowd’s desperation. Witnesses described how people jostled for space, ignoring pleas from volunteers to maintain order. Amid the confusion, Amarachi fell, her son slipping from her grasp.

“I thought I had lost Obinna. I screamed for help, but it felt like no one could hear me. A young man pulled me up, and I saw a woman holding my son. I will never forget her kindness,” she cried.