Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial photograph reveals a basic view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the occurrence happened

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has actually eliminated 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, authorities stated on Thursday.

The injured kids were getting medical attention following the incident, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command said.

"8 individuals have actually given that been apprehended for their different participations", cops spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated in a declaration.

Among those detained was the primary sponsor of the event at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has opened a probe, Osifeso included.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a declaration "revealed extensive unhappiness over the terrible occurrence".

He used his "sincere acknowledgements" to locals, state authorities and the "mourning families who have lost their beloved children".

He urged the "Oyo State government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a catastrophe from persisting", the statement by the presidency added.

"Among the vital actions are a detailed evaluation of all public events' precaution, stringent enforcement of security guidelines, and routine safety audits of event places," Tinubu added.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were hurt after being squashed as thousands collected totally free bags of rice given out by regional authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated four women who had been waiting outside the office of a wealthy businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to collect 5,000 naira ($3.40) cash gifts to assist pay for food throughout the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses stated members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as Nigeria faced its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had actually shared his acknowledgements for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

"Our hearts stay with the households and liked ones affected by this catastrophe. May the souls of the departed rest in peace," Makinde said.

"We sympathise with the moms and dads whose pleasure has actually suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths," he added.