A children’s funfair held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, tragically ended in a stampede on Wednesday, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The event, organized in collaboration with Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, and the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, through her foundation, Women In Need Of Guidance and Support (WINGS), was intended to be a festive occasion for 5,000 children aged 0-13. The event promised free entry, exciting prizes like scholarships, and other gifts, with assurances of adequate security for all participants.
However, the joyous atmosphere quickly turned to chaos as a stampede erupted, leading to the loss of life and leaving many injured. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the tragic incident via his official X handle, expressing his deep sorrow and extending condolences to the bereaved families. He assured the public that swift action was taken to prevent further casualties by deploying security personnel and medical teams to the scene. The event was immediately terminated, and attendees were escorted out of the venue.
Governor Makinde also confirmed that the primary organizers of the event were taken into custody as investigations commenced to ascertain the cause of the stampede. He emphasized that anyone found responsible, directly or indirectly, would be held accountable for the tragic outcome. The governor urged the public to remain calm while security agencies conducted a thorough investigation into the unfortunate incident. His message concluded with a heartfelt prayer for the departed souls to rest in peace and offered solace to the families impacted by the tragedy.
The day before the ill-fated event, Agidigbo 88.7 FM had promoted the funfair on its Facebook page, featuring Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi during a special program at the radio station. The post outlined the details of the event, highlighting the free admission, the target audience of children aged 0-13, and the attractive prizes on offer. Queen Ogunwusi’s commitment to providing a secure environment for the young participants was also underscored in the promotional material. This announcement generated considerable excitement and anticipation among the local community, tragically culminating in the devastating stampede.
The unfolding tragedy underscores the critical importance of meticulous planning and robust safety protocols for large-scale events, especially those involving children. While the specific triggers of the stampede remain under investigation, the incident brings to light the potential dangers of inadequate crowd management, insufficient security measures, and unforeseen emergencies. The loss of young lives serves as a stark reminder of the need for enhanced vigilance and proactive safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the investigation progresses, the focus will likely turn to identifying any lapses in planning or execution that may have contributed to the tragic outcome. This will involve scrutinizing the venue’s capacity, the adequacy of security arrangements, the emergency response protocols, and the overall management of the event. The findings will not only help determine accountability in this specific instance but also inform future event planning and safety regulations to ensure the well-being of all participants, particularly children, at such gatherings. The goal is to prevent a repeat of this heartbreaking incident and foster safer environments for community events.
