No fewer than seven people, including a former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, have been detained by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The police confirmed that 35 children lost their lives, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.
Tribune Online reports that a non-governmental organisation, Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WING), founded by Naomi Silekunola, organised the Christmas funfair at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
However, the event turned tragic as an overwhelming crowd at the venue caused a stampede that resulted in the fatalities.
In this article, Tribune Online examines six quick things you should know about the incident.
Date and Venue
The unfortunate incident took place on 18 December 2024 at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Event Organisers
The funfair was organised by a group called Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WING) and was intended to attract around 5,000 children under the age of 13.
What Was Promised
The event organisers had promised to give out N5,000 each (approximately $3) to 5,000 children as well as provide free food to attendees. However, the crowd exceeded the planned 5,000 children, which eventually resulted in the tragedy.
Sequence of Events
The stampede occurred as the main organisers arrived to commence the event. According to a BBC report, many parents had accompanied their children and converged at the venue as early as 5:00 a.m., hoping to secure the promised cash and food.
Arrests Made
In the aftermath of the tragedy, no fewer than seven people have been arrested. Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, said, “Among those detained are Silekunola, aged 31, and Fasasi Abdulahi, the 56-year-old principal of the school.
“The other individuals arrested include Genesis Christopher, Tanimowo Moruf, Anisolaja Olabode, Idowu Ibrahim, and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, with ages ranging from 25 to 52 years.”
Government Response
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and called for a thorough investigation. He emphasised the need for accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Similarly, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, described the day as “very sad” and assured the public that those responsible would be held accountable.