Unfolding Details Of The Ibadan Children Funfair Stampede Tragedy

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Unfolding Details Of The Ibadan Children Funfair Stampede Tragedy

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi

Many children lost their lives in a stampede at a funfair carnival in the Bashorun area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The tragic incident occurred during an event organized by the Women in Need of Guidance and Support (WINGS) Foundation, founded by Queen Naomi Silekunola, the ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

While many social media users have accused Agidigbo FM, an Ibadan-based radio station, of involvement in the tragic event, the radio station was not the host of the children’s program.

FIJ reports that a staff member at Agidigbo FM clarified that Queen Naomi organized the event, which was aimed at hosting 5,000 children, with the radio station only responsible for promoting the event.

“She came to Agidigbo to announce that the event would be held at Islamic High School, Basorun. She came for a jingle placement. What we noticed was the stampede. Now the event has been canceled,” the staff member explained. “Meanwhile, as I speak to you, Agidigbo is holding its own party, while Queen Naomi’s event did not take place.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, Agidigbo FM confirmed that Queen Naomi was set to host the party under the WINGS Foundation.

However, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the children’s funfair turned deadly when a stampede broke out, leading to the loss of over 30 lives.

Reports indicate that although the event was scheduled for Wednesday, some parents took their children to the venue a day earlier, and many arrived in the early hours of Wednesday.

As early as 5:00 a.m., children, accompanied by their parents, began to converge at the Islamic High School, Bashorun. By 6:00 a.m., the crowd had swelled, but the gates remained locked, trapping attendees outside.

The organizers had planned for 5,000 attendees, but approximately 7,500 people showed up, leading to chaos as they scrambled for free food and other items.

An attempt to open the gate triggered a stampede, with people desperately trying to enter at the same time. Many fell, were trampled, and lost consciousness in the chaos.

As of the time of this report, the casualty toll stands at 32, though the number could change as investigations continue. The victims were rushed to various hospitals across Ibadan, including Patnas Specialist Hospital, Basorun; Best Western Hospital, Basorun; Molly Specialist Hospital, Idi-Ape; Ringroad State Hospital; and the University College Hospital (UCH).

An eyewitness, Mrs. Omolewa Azeez, whose seven-year-old child Mubarak is currently receiving treatment, recounted the events to the Nation.

“We arrived around 6 a.m., and the issue was that they didn’t open the gate. The crowd was overwhelming, and we were left choking. There wouldn’t have been a problem if they had opened the gate earlier. When they tried to force it open, people pushed in, causing many to fall and get trampled on,” she said.

The Oyo State Government has confirmed the tragedy, with Commissioner for Information Prince Dotun Oyelade initially putting the death toll at 32. However, the statement was later retracted, and authorities confirmed that the exact figure would be disclosed after a full briefing by the Commissioner of Police.

Governor Seyi Makinde, expressing his condolences on X, described the incident as a “tragic disaster” and vowed that those responsible for the deaths and injuries would be held accountable.

News reports noted that at the scene of the venue, the ground was littered with belongings—bags, shoes, clothes, and other items—as many women and children stood in shock, unable to speak.

Police presence was heavy, with officers stationed throughout the venue. The police also detained the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi, for questioning in connection with the stampede.

Fasasi was invited by the police on Wednesday afternoon and has been held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the Iyaganku area.

His relative, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Fasasi had been detained since his arrival at the station.

Meanwhile, both Queen Naomi Silekunola and popular Ibadan-based radio owner Oriyomi Hamzat have been invited for questioning by the police, but they have yet to appear as of the time of this report.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, “We are yet to receive them for questioning. Members of the public will be comprehensively briefed as events unfold.”

Unfolding Details Of The Ibadan Children Funfair Stampede Tragedy

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi

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