By Damilola Adeleke

The Oyo State Police Command has initiated a probe into the tragic stampede that occurred during a children’s funfair in Ibadan, claiming the lives of at least 32 children. The heartbreaking incident unfolded on Wednesday at Islamic High School, Bashorun, as an overwhelming crowd swarmed the venue.

Eyewitnesses reported that chaos erupted when attendees surged towards the main gate in a desperate bid to gain entry. The funfair, organized by the WINGS Foundation, allegedly under the leadership of Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, and in collaboration with Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, was designed to accommodate 5,000 participants. However, reports indicate that over 7,500 people showed up, leading to overcrowding and eventual tragedy.

Videos from the scene showed panicked moments as children were carried out of the venue, while distraught parents wailed for their loved ones. A mother at the hospital cried out, “I did not bargain for this. My daughter cannot be gone. Please, doctor, wake her up!”Medical staff at Patnas Hospital, one of the facilities receiving victims, confirmed five deaths upon arrival. “We received 12 children in critical condition, but sadly, five were already deceased,” a hospital official disclosed. The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, also treated several injured children. Dr. Toye Akinrinola, a spokesperson for UCH, confirmed that no victims remained on admission as of the time of reporting.

The event’s organizers are facing criticism for poor crowd management. One eyewitness lamented, “We were not even up to the planned 5,000 participants, yet the organizers couldn’t control the situation.”

Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, distanced itself from the organizational lapses. In a statement, Olayinka Abdulwahab, the station’s Director of Programmes, emphasized that Agidigbo FM was solely a media partner and had alerted the public about the overcrowded venue as early as 5 a.m.The stampede caused a traffic gridlock on Basorun-Idi Ape Road as emergency responders and parents rushed to the scene. In response, the Oyo State government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the lapses that led to the tragedy.

Police spokesperson Adewale Osifeso assured the public that an investigation is ongoing, promising updates as they unfold. Meanwhile, the bereaved families continue to mourn their losses, calling for accountability and justice for their children.