An investigation into the circumstances that led to the alleged death of 32 children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, has begun, the Oyo State Police Command disclosed on Wednesday.
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the stampede happened when participants scrambled to gain access to the venue of the event reportedly organized by the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, and an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat.
An eyewitness at the scene of the incident, said in a video chat that the organisers had invited 5,000 participants for the funfair but the situation got out of control when the scene became rowdy leading to a stampede that led to several casualties.
According to her, “Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants but because we were not organised, that was why the situation got to this. We were not even up to 5,000 participants.”
Another participant claimed he lost a child during the incident.
“Rather than attend to us very well, they wanted to fight us. We just lost one child who has been taken to the University College Hospital,” he said.
One of the videos of the incident showed rowdy scenes as some children were rushed out of the venue while a woman wailed about the loss of her child following the stampede.
Meanwhile, the management of Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, has reacting to the unfortunate incident, sympathised with the victims in a statement signed by
Its Director of Programmes, Olayinka Abdulwahab however stated that the radio station was a media partner to the event and not the organiser of the funfair.
He noted: “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organised by the WINGS Foundation, with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds is that Agidigbo FM is the organiser of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organiser of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5am at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitise the populace with jingles and public service announcements from that time, that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“This is not the time to spread misinformation. The management of Agidigbo FM implores the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathises with the family of those who lost their lives.”
When contacted via a text message for a reaction, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, noting that an investigation had commenced.
“Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” Osifeso said.
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