Many Feared Dead At Ibadan Children Funfair…….Oyo Govt Mourns

Many people, mostly children, have been feared dead in a stampede that occurred during a Children Funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Programme which was organised by the Women in Need of Governance and Support, WINGS, an initiative of Queen Naomi Silekunola, was held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to Witnesses, many people got to the entrance of the venue as early as 6 o’clock in the morning while some people allegedly slept at the venue.

They reported that, the stampede occurred when many children and some Parents thronged the gate of the School, thereby causing violent push resulting in stampede.

It was gathered that many children who are mostly underage fell and were matched by others struggling to gain entrance to the main venue of the Programme.

As at the time of filing this report, our Correspondent who visited the scene, clothes and shoes of children littered the floor, while Security Officers were seen on ground asking the remaining people at the venue to vacate the premises

Meanwhile, the Programme which was announced on one of the Popular Radio Stations in Ibadan could not be held again due to the incident.

In the meantime, Oyo State Government has mourned the tragic loss of lives at a children’s carnival in Ibadan.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, a 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 today.

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 this 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 commissioner said Parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children are urged to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where children affected were taken for proper medical attention with valid means of identification:

– Patnas Hospital, Basorun

– Western Hospital, Basorun

– Ringroad State Hospital

– Molly Specialist Hospital

– University College Hospital (UCH)

– Adeoye State Hospital,

– Total Family Hospital at Basorun

The statement further said that the Oyo State government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims.