WEB DESK: Officials confirmed on Wednesday that a tragic stampede during a religious festival in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, killed at least 35 people. The incident occurred at an Islamic high school where around 5,000 young people and children had gathered for the event.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, reported the death toll to journalists, as scenes of chaos emerged from the site. Video footage shared by local media depicted a crowd of children watching as victims were carried to nearby hospitals.
State Governor Seyi Makinde expressed his condolences in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, describing the incident as a “very sad day.” He announced the deployment of security forces to restore order and assist in evacuating attendees.
“We sympathise with the parents whose joy has suddenly been turned to mourning due to these deaths,” Makinde stated. He assured that investigations are underway and that those responsible for the disaster would face justice.
Authorities have detained the event’s primary organisers, identified as the Women In Need Of Guidance and Support Foundation. The group had hosted a similar festival last year and had planned to accommodate thousands of participants this year, promising scholarships and other prizes.
Nigeria’s national emergency services have dispatched a team to provide support to the victims and their families.
This tragic event highlights the need for stricter safety measures at large gatherings, as the nation mourns the lives lost in what should have been a day of celebration.
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