Nigeria School Fair Stampede Kills 35 Children

This aerial picture shows a general view of the city of Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria, where the event occurred

A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured 6 others, police stated on Thursday.

The injured children were receiving medical attention following the incident, which occurred on Wednesday in Nigeria's third-largest city, Oyo State Police Command stated.

"8 persons have actually because been apprehended for their numerous participations", authorities representative Adewale Osifeso stated in a statement.

Among those apprehended was the primary sponsor of the occasion at the Basorun Islamic High School, which was organised by the Wings Foundation and Agidigbo FM radio.

The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department has actually opened a probe, Osifeso added.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in a statement "revealed profound sadness over the terrible incident".

He used his "genuine condolences" to residents, state authorities and the "mourning households who have lost their beloved children".

He prompted the "Oyo State federal government to take every needed step to avoid such a disaster from returning", the statement by the presidency added.

"Among the essential actions are an extensive evaluation of all public events' precaution, stringent enforcement of security policies, and routine safety audits of event locations," Tinubu included.

- 'Rest in peace' -

Nigeria has actually seen numerous lethal stampedes in recent months.

In March, 2 trainees passed away and 23 were injured after being squashed as thousands collected for free bags of rice distributed by local authorities at Nasarawa State University, in central Nigeria.

Later that month, another stampede eliminated 4 women who had been waiting outside the office of a rich businessman in the northern city of Bauchi to gather 5,000 naira ($3.40) money presents to help spend for food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Witnesses said members of the crowd pressed to acquire the cash, triggering a stampede, as its worst recession in a generation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had actually shared his condolences for the Ibadan victims on X on Wednesday.

"Our hearts remain with the families and liked ones impacted by this tragedy. May the souls of the left rest in peace," Makinde stated.

"We sympathise with the moms and dads whose happiness has all of a sudden been turned to mourning due to these deaths," he added.