A fun-filled day turned tragic in Oyo State as a children’s funfair ended in a deadly stampede. Many lives were lost, and numerous children were injured, leading to the immediate arrest of the event’s organizers. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious questions about event safety. Here’s a rundown of what happened:
- What: A children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan
- When: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
- Why: A stampede occurred, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries
- Who: Event organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM
- Result: Arrest of organizers, investigation launched
Chaos at the Funfair
The funfair, intended to be a joyous occasion for families, quickly descended into chaos as a stampede broke out. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic and distress, with many children caught in the crush. The exact cause of the stampede is still under investigation, but overcrowding is suspected to be a major contributing factor.
Swift Government Response
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, wasted no time in addressing the tragedy. He confirmed the arrest of the event organizers and vowed that those responsible would be held accountable. Governor Makinde also announced the deployment of security personnel and medical teams to the venue to restore order and provide immediate aid to the injured.
“We have taken steps to ensure no further deaths are recorded at this venue by deploying security agents to restore order at the venue,” said Governor Makinde in a statement. “We also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the venue. The event has been stopped, and attendees have been escorted out of the venue.”
Who Organized the Event?
While the state government has not released the identities of the organizers, it was revealed that the event was a collaboration between Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi (ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife) and Agidigbo 88.7 FM, a local radio station in Ibadan. Queen Naomi’s organization, ‘Women In Need Of Guidance and Support’ (WINGS), was the primary driver behind the funfair.
The Promise of a Fun Day Turns Deadly
According to a post on Agidigbo FM’s Facebook page, the event aimed to host 5,000 kids between the ages of 0-13, offering them free entertainment and the chance to win prizes like scholarships. Queen Naomi had assured parents of adequate security. Sadly, the event turned into a heartbreaking tragedy instead. It is a somber reminder of the importance of proper planning and security at public events. This incident is also similar to other stampedes at crowded places, showing how crucial crowd management is.
Moving Forward
The authorities are currently investigating the incident, and it is expected that more details about the events leading up to the stampede will emerge. The families affected by the tragedy are in the thoughts of the entire nation, as the government has promised a thorough investigation and justice for the victims. The focus now is on supporting the families, investigating the cause and ensuring that such a terrible incident never happens again.
