The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of eight individuals together with Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, following a deadly stampede at a youngsters’s occasion.
Ms Silekunola was a key organiser of the occasion, which was a youngsters’s Christmas get together organised by WINGS (Girls In Want of Steerage and Assist), a basis she established.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the tragedy occurred on Wednesday on the Islamic Excessive Faculty in Bashorun, Ibadan, throughout a carnival meant to convey pleasure to youngsters.
The police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, in an official assertion, revealed that six different people had been critically injured within the incident, BBC Pidgin Information studies.
“Sequel to the stampede incident recorded on Wednesday, 18/12/2024, on the Islamic Excessive Faculty, Bashorun, Ibadan, venue of the household occasion organised by Wings Basis and media companions Agidigbo FM, the Oyo State Police Command needs to tell the general public that eight individuals have since been arrested for his or her varied involvements,” the assertion learn.
“Thus far, 35 minors have been confirmed lifeless, whereas six others are critically injured and present process varied medical interventions. Residents are suggested to stay calm, as heightened police patrols and visual safety presence will proceed to make sure public security.”
Amongst these detained are Naomi Silekunola (31), Fasasi Abdulahi (56), the college principal, and different people recognized as Genesis Christopher (24), Tanimowo Moruf (52), Anisolaja Olabode (42), Idowu Ibrahim (35), and Abiola Oluwatimilehin (25). The police famous that the case has been transferred to the Murder Part of the State Legal Investigation Division in Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police main the investigation.
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The Punch witness’s accounts revealed that over 5,000 youngsters had gathered on the venue, far exceeding the anticipated capability of 5,000 individuals. The gang reportedly surged to 7500 as attendees tried to realize entry, resulting in a tragic stampede.
Medical replace
The occasion, tagged “Youngsters’s Enjoyable Honest 2024,” was marketed as a free celebration promising thrilling prizes, scholarships, and leisure for youngsters aged 0 to 13. Many have argued that the absence of enough crowd management and medical provisions contributed to the tragic consequence.
Confirming the size of the tragedy, The Punch studies that Funmi Adetuyibi, a spokesperson for UCH Ibadan, said that 5 youngsters had been dropped at the hospital however had been pronounced lifeless upon arrival. In the meantime, victims had been additionally admitted to different medical amenities, together with Patnas Hospital, Western Hospital, and Ring Highway State Hospital.
The report added that Agidigbo FM’s administration, which partnered with Wings Basis to advertise the occasion, denied accountability for organising the programme. In an announcement signed by its Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab, the station expressed shock and prolonged condolences to the victims’ households.
The assertion clarified, “Agidigbo FM will not be the occasion organiser however one of many media outfits used to market it. Upon receiving discover of the big crowd, we used all media methods to sensitise the general public and urge individuals to cease going to the venue.”
Condolence
In an announcement signed by the palace spokesman, Moses Olafare, the Palace of the Ooni of Ife expressed sympathy for the households of the deceased, stating, “We share within the grief and ache which have engulfed the affected households. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this making an attempt time,” Channels Tv studies.
The Ooni of Ife palace additionally confirmed solidarity with the ex-queen, noting her “real care for youngsters, which she demonstrated by way of related occasions throughout her time as queen.” Nonetheless, he known as for speedy measures to stop such tragedies sooner or later, emphasising the necessity for “adherence to security requirements and baby welfare insurance policies.”
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, in a separate assertion posted on X, introduced that the state authorities had deployed safety brokers and medical personnel to revive order and attend to the injured.
“It is a very unhappy day for us right here in Oyo State. We sympathise with the dad and mom whose pleasure has all of a sudden been turned to mourning attributable to these deaths. We’ve ensured no additional deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying safety brokers to revive order. We additionally deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The occasion has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue. We’re taking all sensible measures to make sure that the venue is secured.
“Whereas investigations are ongoing, the first organisers of the occasion that led to this stampede have been taken into custody. I wish to reassure people who anybody instantly or remotely concerned on this catastrophe will probably be held accountable. Please stay calm because the safety companies examine this unlucky incident. Mother and father besiege hospitals as many youngsters die within the Oyo Funfair stampede. Our hearts stay with the households and family members impacted by this tragedy. Could the souls of the departed relaxation in peace,” he said.
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