- Police are investigating the deaths of 32 children in a stampede at a children's funfair organized by Prophetess Naomi Shikemi and Oriyomi Hamzat in Ibadan
- Over 7,500 attendees showed up for the event, leading to chaos and overcrowding, which resulted in the tragic stampede at the Islamic High School in Bashorun
- The Oyo State Police Command called for better safety measures at large events increase
The Oyo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the tragic incident at a children's funfair in Ibadan, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 32 children during a stampede on Wednesday, December 18.
Eyewitnesses have told PUNCH Metro that the stampede occurred when participants rushed to gain access to the event venue, organised by the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, and Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat.
The event was held at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan.
According to reports, over 7,500 people turned up for the event, despite organisers originally preparing for 5,000 attendees.
The situation escalated as participants scrambled to enter the venue, causing chaos that ultimately led to the tragic stampede.
One eyewitness shared a video of the incident, recalling that while organisers had invited 5,000 participants, the crowd became uncontrollable, resulting in several casualties.
“Oriyomi Hamzat said he wanted 5,000 participants, but we weren’t organised, and that’s why it got out of hand,” the witness explained.
Another attendee claimed that he had lost a child in the incident, expressing frustration at the organisers’ handling of the situation.
"Rather than attend to us properly, they tried to fight us. We just lost one child, who has been taken to the University College Hospital," he added.
In the aftermath, Agidigbo FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims.
The station clarified that it was a media partner for the event, not the organiser, and had made efforts to raise awareness about overcrowding.
Olayinka Abdulwahab, the station’s Director of Programmes, stated: “Upon receiving notice that a large crowd had gathered before 5 a.m. at the venue, Agidigbo FM used various media strategies to sensitise the public and urge people to stop coming.”
The statement further appealed to the public to avoid spreading misinformation, urging them to pray for the recovery of those injured and offer condolences to the families of the deceased.
Oyo State Police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway.
"Investigation is in progress. Updates will be provided accordingly," Osifeso stated.
Reports indicated that the stampede caused a traffic gridlock on the Basorun-Idi Ape Road, as some parents and children had been waiting at the venue well before the event began.
At Patnas Hospital in Basorun, six children were admitted, with five later confirmed dead.
An administrative officer at the hospital, Olufeyemi Tolulope, shared: “The affected children were brought in shortly after 8 a.m. Five died while one child survived and was discharged.”
At University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, five victims were reported dead upon arrival, though the hospital's Public Relations Officer, Funmi Adetuyibi, did not confirm their age or gender.
At Molly Specialist Hospital and Western Hospital, security personnel denied any victims were admitted, despite some parents being seen at UCH mourning the loss of their children.
The incident has raised calls for accountability and safety measures at large events. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed that the victims had been taken to various hospitals in the city, including Patnas, Western Hospital, and UCH.
The Punch’s efforts to contact Prophetess Naomi Shikemi, who is reportedly behind the event, were unsuccessful.
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