The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of prominent figures, including the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, following a devastating stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan. The tragic event, which occurred on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Islamic High School in Basorun, has left 35 children dead and six others critically injured.
Silekunola, identified as the primary sponsor of the event, was apprehended alongside the Principal of Islamic High School, Fasasi Abdulahi, and six other individuals, including Genesis Christopher, 24; Tanimowo Moruf, 52; Anisolaja Olabode, 42; Idowu Ibrahim, 35; and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, 25.
A Celebration Turns Tragic
The funfair, organized by WINGS Foundation in partnership with Agidigbo FM, was designed to host 5,000 children. However, investigations revealed that over 7,500 participants showed up, leading to a chaotic situation at the venue. Eyewitness accounts reported that the stampede began as children and their guardians struggled to gain access to the overcrowded venue.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, detailed the scale of the tragedy.
“So far, 35 minors have been documented dead, while six others are critically injured and undergoing various medical interventions. The case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation,” the statement read.
Eyewitness Accounts and Parental Grief
Eyewitnesses have described a scene of confusion and desperation as the overcrowding spiraled out of control.
One parent, whose child succumbed to the stampede, tearfully pleaded with doctors at a nearby hospital, “I did not bargain for what happened to me. We slept together at home yesterday not knowing it would be the last time. My daughter is not dead. Please, doctor, wake her up.”
Hospitals Overwhelmed
Victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Patnas Hospital in Basorun. According to Olufeyemi Tolulope, an administrative officer at the hospital, six children were brought in shortly after the incident.
“Out of the six, five were already deceased. We were able to rescue one child, who has since been discharged and reunited with her parents,” Tolulope explained.
Agidigbo FM and Oyo State Government React
Agidigbo FM, an Ibadan-based radio station involved as a media partner for the event, has distanced itself from the organization of the funfair. In a statement signed by its Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab, the station expressed profound condolences to the families of the victims.
“This is to inform the general public that Agidigbo FM was not the organizer of the event but a media partner used to promote the event. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all affected families,” the statement clarified.
The Oyo State Government also reacted swiftly, with Governor Seyi Makinde expressing his condolences via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths occur at the venue by deploying security agents and medical personnel. The event has been stopped, and attendees escorted out to restore order. We are taking all realistic measures to secure the area and prevent a recurrence of such tragedies,” Makinde stated.
Heightened Security and Justice Assured
The police have assured residents that high-level patrols and operatives have been deployed to prevent any opportunistic criminal activities around the event’s location.
“The Oyo State Police Command sympathizes with all the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and assures the good people of the state that justice will be served,” Osifeso added.
Moving Forward
As investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering the lapses that led to the stampede. The tragedy underscores the importance of proper event planning, crowd control, and safety protocols to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
Stay updated with Hobnob News for further developments on this heartbreaking story.
