Some children allegedly died in a stampede during a giveaway religious event organised for kids at Ibadan, capital of Oyo State- Nigeria’s South West city.
Hours earlier, an announcement was made for parents to bring their children to the address of Agidigbo FM in Ibadan for free gifts, courtesy of the former wife of Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi.
Parents reportedly trooped there with their kids for Christmas gifts but there was a stampede which allegedly resulted in multiple de@ths.
One Facebook user claimed her sister’s son was “involved”.
Some X users claim bodies of children were taken to a hospital in Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government while confirming the incident in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the stampede occurred at the private children’s fun fair held at Basorun Islamic High School, leading to loss of lives, mostly children, with some others injured in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to the statement, the State Government swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the breaking of the incident.
The commissioner noted that victims have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention.
While appreciating the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately activating all available response teams to provide assistance at the scene of the incident, Prince Oyelade in the statement, said the State Government will do all in its power to stand by victims of the fateful incident through the trying period.
According to the Statement, the State Government was not involved in any of the planning, neither was the Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private children’s end of the year funfair.
It emphasized the importance of proper coordination when organizing events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.
The Commissioner indicated that they are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident.
The government extended its deepest sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm.
