No fewer than 30 children were feared dead yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital after a stampede at a funfair organised for children.
The unfortunate event, which happened at the Islamic High School in the Bashorun area of the city, was intended to provide N5,000 to 5,000 children.
However, the unfortunate happened when the number of children that turned out exceeded the expected 5,000, leading to a struggle for entry.
It was gathered learned that the event was organised by a former queen of the Ooni of Ife in collaboration with a popular radio station in Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State government has confirmed the loss of lives of the children and mourned their death, saying they were unaware of the event until the tragic news spread.
The Deputy Governor Adebayo Lawal, who visited one of the hospitals where those injured were taken, requested that the organizers turn themselves in for further questioning.
Unfortunately, the doctor at the hospital confirmed that four children were brought in dead, while others were receiving treatment.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement yesterday, also disclosed that majority of the victims were children.
“Government has swiftly mobilised a rapid response team following the incident. Victims of the incident have been swiftly transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for medical attention,” he said.
The Commissioner, however, said the government was awaiting a detailed report from the Police Command in the state to know the number of victims involved in the unfortunate incident.
He went on to state that government was not involved in any of the planning. “Neither was the state Ministry of Health requested to provide any logistics to support the private funfair,” Oyelade said.
He stated further that government would do all in its power to stand by the victims of the incident “through this trying period.”
He urged parents, who were apprehensive about their children’s whereabouts to check some medical facilities in Ibadan where the victims of the stampede were taken.
“The medical centres are Patnas Hospital, Basorun; Western Hospital, Basorun; Ring Road State Hospital; Molly Specialist Hospital; and University College Hospital (UCH).”
He added that while the State Government extended its deepest sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy, it also urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperative.
“We are in the process of gathering relevant pieces of information and necessary support is being arranged for the victims,” Oyelade said.
